IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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Corporation 


23  WBST  MAIN  STRtIT 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


Tl 
to 


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P< 
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Til 
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Mi 
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This  item  *s  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessou«. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


aax 


24X 


28X 


32X 


e 

Hails 
8  du 
lodifier 
r  une 
Image 


s 


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empreinte. 

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dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
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Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suevants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


irrata 
to 


pelure, 
n  A 


□ 


32X 


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1 

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5 

6 

RINGAN  GILHAIZE; 


OR, 


THE  TIMES  OF  THE  COVENANTERS. 


BY 


JOHN    GALT, 

AUTHOR    OK   "ANNALS   OF    THE    PARISH,"'    "  AVRSIIIRR    I.r.CATKES,"    "SIR    ANDREW    WVUF. 

"THE    ENTAir.,"    ETC.,    ETC.,    ETC. 


0* 

ti 

«0 


Tliolr  potistanoy  in  tortiiro  and  in  doath,— 
'I'lieso  on  'I'niditiun'H  iDngnn  Ktill  livp,  ilip^o  (hall 
nil  History's  liouost  page  bo  pictured  ))rlt$lit 
To  latoHt  timo.s. 

Gll.VHAMK'3  SABBAtrr. 


GLASGOW: 
DUNN  &  WRIGHT,   176  BUCHANAN  STREET, 

AND    STIRLING   ROAD. 


OLASOOW: 

DUNN     AN' I)    WRiailT, 

rillNTKIlS. 


RING  AN    GILHAIZE: 


OR, 


THE   TIMES    OF    THE    COVENANTERS. 


CHAPTER    T.    , 

It  is  a  thing  past  nil  contesting,  tlmt, 
ill  tlio  Ileforniation,  tlicrc  was  a8j)irit 
of  far  greater  carnality  among   the 
clianipions  of  the  cause,  than  among 
tlioso   wlio   in   later    times    so   cou- 
ragciously,  under   tlie   Lord,   upheld 
tlie  unspotted  banners  of  the  Cove- 
nant.    This  I  speak  of  from  the  re- 
nu'i!ibraiice   of   many   aged   persons, 
wlio  tither  themselves  bore  a  part  in 
that  war  with  the  worshippers  of  the 
lienst  and   his   Image,    or  who   had 
lioard  their  fathers  tell  of  the  lieart 
and  nn"nd  wherewith  it  was  carried  on, 
and  could  thence,  Avith  the  lielps  of 
their   own    knowledge,    discern    the 
spiritual     and     hallowed     difference, 
llut,  as  I  intend  mainly  to  bear  vii 
ncss   to   tliose   passages   of  tlio   Jatc 
bloody  perseciition  in  which   I  was 
myself  both  a  soldier  and  a  sufferer,  it 
will  not  become  me  to  brag  of  our 
motives  and  intents,  as  higher  and 
liolit-r  than  those  of  the  great  elder 
AVortiiies    of     "  the    Congregation." 
At  the  same  time  it  is  needful  that  I 
sl.juld   rehearse   as    much    of    what 
liappened  in  the  troubles  of  the  IJe- 
forniation,  as,   in  its  effects  and  in- 
fluences, worked  upon  flic  issues  of 
my  own  life.     For  my  father's  father 
was  out  in   the   raids   of   that   tem- 
pestuous season,  and  it  was  by  him, 
and  from  the  stories  lie  was  wont  to 
tell  of  what  the  (lovernment  did,  when 
drunken    with   the   .sorceries   of    the 
gorgeous  liomau  harlot,  and  rampag- 


ing with  the  wrath  of  Moloch  and  of 
lielial,  it  trami)led  on  the  liearts  and 
thought  to  devour  the  souls  of  tho 
subjects,  that  I  first  was  taught  to 
feel,  know,  and  understacd  tho 
divine  right  of  resistance. 

IIo  was  come  of  a  stock  of  bcin 
burghers  in  Lithgow ;  but  his  father 
having  a  profitable  traffic  in  saddle- 
irons  and  bridlo-rings  among  the 
gallants  of  the  court,  and  being  more- 
over a  man  who  took  little  heed  of 
the  truths  of  religion,  he  continued 
with  his  wife  in  the  delusions  of  the 
papistical  idolatry  till  the  last,  by 
which  my  grandfather's  young  soul 
was  put  in  great  jeopardy.  For  the 
monkei  of  that  time  were  eager  to  pet 
into  their  clutches  such  men-children 
as  appeared  to  be  gifted  with  any 
peculiar  gift,  in  order  to  rear  them  for 
stoops  and  posts  to  sustain  their 
Uabylon,  in  tho  tower  and  structure 
whereof  many  rents  and  cracks  wero 
daily  kithing. 

Tiie  Dominican  friars,  who  had  a 
rich  howf  in  the  town,  seeing  that  my 
grandfather  was  a  shrewd  and  sharp 
child,  of  a  comely  complexion,  and 
possessing  a  studious  observance, 
were  fain  to  wile  him  into  their 
power  ;  1)ut  'iC  was  happily  preserved 
from  all  their  snares  and  devices,  in  a 
manner  that  shows  how  wonderfully 
the  Lord  worketh  out  the  purposes  of 
His  will,  by  ways  and  means  of  which 
no  man  cau  fathom  the  depths  of  the 
mysterieo, 


rjNflAN  OTLTTATZK. 


r>i-si(k'.s  iiis  trallio  in  tlio  polLshcd 
garniture  of  lior.se-j.'oar,  my  f,'ran(l- 
fatlior's  father  was  also  a  farrier,  and 
enjoyel  a  far-spread  repiito  for  liis 
pkiil  in  tiie  maladies  of  horses:  by 
wiiicli,  and  as  lie  dwelt  near  the 
palace-yett,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  street,  foment  tiie  grand  foun- 
tain-well. Ills  sniiildy  was  the  common 
liauiit  of  the  serving-men  belonging 
to  tiie  nol^les  frequenting  the  court, 
and  as  often  as  any  new  comers  to  the 
palace  were  observed  in  the  town, 
some  of  the  r.ionks  and  friars  be- 
longing to  the  different  convents 
were  sure  to  come  to  the  smiddy  to 
converse  with  their  grooms  and  to 
hear  the  news,  which  were  all  of  the 
controversies  raging  between  the 
priesthood  and  the  people. 

My  grandfather  was  then  alittleboy, 
but  he  thirsted  to  hear  tlieir  conver- 
sations ;  and  many  a  time,  as  he  was 
•wont  to  tell,  has  his  very  heart  been 
raspet  to  the  quick  by  tlie  cruel  com- 
ments in  which  those  cormorants  of 
idolatry  indul;;ed  themselves,  with 
respi'ct  to  the  brave  spirit  of  the  Re- 
formers ;  and  he  rejoiced  when  any 
retainers  of  the  Protestant  lords  quar- 
relled with  them,  and  dealt  baek  to 
them  as  hard  names  as  tiio  odious 
epithets  with  which  the  hot-fed  friars 
reviled  the  pious  challengers  of  the 
pa])al  iniquities.  Thus  it  was,  in  the 
green  years  of  his  childhood,  that  the 
same  sanctified  ppirit  was  poured  out 
upon  him,  which  rou.sed  so  many  of 
the  true  and  faithful  to  resist  and  re- 
pel thi-  attempt  to  quench  the  re- 
lighted lamps  of  the  Gospel,  preparing 
his  young  courage  to  engage  in  those 
great  first  trials  and  strong  tasks  of 
the  Lord.  « 

'J'he  tidings  and  the  bickerings  to 
which  he  was  a  hearkener  in  the 
smidily.  he  was  in  the  practice  of 
relating  to  his  companions,  by  which 
it  came  to  i)as.i  that,  it  might  in  a 
manner  be  said,  all  the  boys  ia  the 


town  were  leagued  in  sj^int  winlu  thA 
lleformers,  and  the  eousequemot*  »*re 
not  long  of  ripening. 

In  those  days  tJjere  Tras  a  f <ocii*h: 
saint,  one  St  Michael,  that  -mm  hd<l 
in  wonderful  love  and  aidocatiiiQiiiii  h-j 
all  the  ranks  and  hierardiMa  ol  th& 
ecclesiastical  locust  then  in  littiii;woiw  ; 
indeed,  for  that  niatt<T,  ther  atanriiSwei 
to  him  power  and  dominion  cir^j  sEw? 
whole  town,  lauding  and  ■wc»rf.Lii|f.fi.ciii3f 
him  as  their  special  god  aaj'B  jiiri>- 
tector..  i»nd  upon  a  certaiiiu  k1i;t  of 
the  year  they  were  wont  la  muijti*  a 
great  pageant  and  revel  in  Lwei^ihit  of 
this  supposed  saint,  and  to  co7j>-;  ijtth 
from  their  cloisters  witii  banntu*,  an*! 
with  censers  burning  incense.  ■riaio<miamg 
and  singing  paternosters  m  jfimae  of 
this  their  Dagon.  walking  m  f>v^O"^a~ 
sion  from  kirk  to  kiik.  as  iJ  i1i*t  wrtere 
celebrating  the  triuuipl;  ■of  *jnie 
mighty  conqueror. 

This  annual  aViomi'  .ric'iu  ksj>|)*'m- 
ing  to  take  jdace  ''  -rtJj  jifi..?r  thif 
martyrdom  of  tlr  true  KMmn  ibkI 
gospel  preacher  '  /  George  Wiifi-iajft, 
and  .vhile  kirk  nd  quire  w^ne'  v*- 
sounding,  to  1'  great  iudigiu^irftjoi  icf 
all  Christiar  with  lamentJiTO'V«»  for 
the  well-er. I-  vjd  death  of  iftn."  ifTrniel 
Cardinal  ''. aton,  his  niv<in.r>iia;  p«T- 
serutor.  '.  ."  monks  and  fria-^  ip<;iwijT*e*l 
but  littU  iiomage  as  they  ]i;.-"i(BaJl(' no^ 
triump'ii  ig,  though  the  Ktre'i*  «ri*re^ 
as  ust'  li,  filled  with  the  iDult  .jtivU*  to 
see  ill  Sir  fine  show.  31>^  ^jfi-psr!^ 
how.'ver,  no  molestatif.u  doc  ico-n;- 
teiiM-t,  till  they  were  jiast-irjg  nfo?  Ijvrl 
of  Angus'  house,  on  the  outti'Sie  sfciir 
of  which  my  grandfather.  tbihIj  nxme 
two  or  three  score  of  otib*T  imiinxo'^v'n.t 
children,  was  standing;  taA  <^Ti-?n 
there  they  might,  i>erha|iK.  lia«if  B)»*en 
suffered  to  go  by  scaitijif  s^.  "i-Tiit  for 
an  accident  that  befel  Hji  1..  ■  :<-TfA  a 
banner,  on  which  wjit  dejiicUniiii  irjl.M- 
phemous  type  of  the  Holy  CiLotic  in 
the  shape  and  lineaments  ■Mf  *  icijaLj- 
doo. 


EINUAN  GILHAIZE. 


It  clmnccd  tliat  tlio  Learor  of  this 
Lla/on  of  iniquity  was  a  particular  fat 
monk,  of  an  arroj:  nt  nature,  with  the 
crimson  complexiuii  of  surfeit  and 
constipation,  who,  for  many  causes 
and  reasons,  was  held  in  greater  aver- 
sion than  all  the  rest,  especially  by 
the  boys,  who  never  lost  an  oppor- 
tunity of  making'  hini  a  scoff  and  a 
ficorn  ;  and  it  so  fell  out,  as  ho  was 
coming  proudly  along,  turning  his 
Ijubyloinsh  banner  to  pleasure  the 
•women  at  the  windows,  to  whom  he 
keiit  nodding  and  winking  as  lie 
j)assed,  that  his  foot  slii)ped,  and 
down  he  fell  as  it  were  with  a  gludder, 
nt  which  all  the  .lioughtless  innocents 
on  the  Earl  of  Angus'  st<air  set  up  a 
loud  shout  of  triumphant  laughter, 
and  from  less  to  more  began  to  hoot 
and  yell  at  the  wh'de  pageant,  and  to 
iielt  some  of  the  performers  with  un- 
savoury missiles. 

This,  by  those  inordinate  ministers 
of  oppression,  was  deemed  a  horrible 
sacrilege,  and  the  parents  of  all  the 
poor  children  were  obligated  to  give 
them  up  to  punishment,  of  which  none 
suffered  more  than  did  nij'  grand- 
father :  v.ho  was  not  only  persecuted 
with  stripes  till  ids  loins  were  black 
and  blue,  but  cast  into  a  dungeon  in 
the  IJlaekfriars'  den,  wdiero  for  three 
days  and  three  nigiits  he  was  allowed 
no  sustenance  but  gnawed  crusts  and 
foul  water.  The  stripes  and  terrors 
of  tlie  oppressor  are,  however,  the 
seeds  which  Providence  sows  in  its 
mercy  to  grow  into  the  means  that 
shall  work  his  own  overthrow. 

'J'he  persecutions  which  from  that 
day  the  monkswaged,in  theirconclaves 
of  sloth  and  sosherie,  against  the  chil- 
dren of  the  town,  denouncing  them 
to  their  parents  as  worms  of  the  great 
serpent  and  heirs  of  perdition,  only 
served  to  make  their  young  spirits 
burn  fiercer.  As  their  joints  hardened 
and  their  sinews  were  knit,  their  hearts 
grew  manful,  aud  yearned,  as   my 


grandfather  said,  with  the  zealous 
longings  of  a  righteous  revenge,  to 
sweep  them  a\vay  from  the  land  tia 
with  a  whirlwind. 

After  enduring  for  several  years 
great  allliction  in  his  father's  house, 
from  his  mother,  a  termagant  woman, 
who  was  entirely  under  the  dominion 
of  her  confessor,  my  grandfather  en- 
tered into  a  paction  with  two  other 
young  lads  to  quit  their  homes  for 
ever,  and  to  enter  the  service  of  some 
of  those  pious  noblemen  who  were 
then  active  in  procuring  adherents  to 
the  Protestant  cause,  as  set  forth  in 
the  first  Covenant.  Accordingly,  one 
morning  in  the  spring  of  1 ;"),')«,  they 
bade  adieu  to  their  fathers'  doors,  and 
set  forward  on  foot  towards  Edin- 
burgh. 

*'  Wo  had  light  hearts,"  said  my 
grandfather,  "for  our  trust  was  in 
Heaven  ;  we  had  girded  ourselves  for 
a  holy  enterprise,  and  the  confidence 
of  our  souls  broke  forth  into  songs  of 
battle,  the  melodious  breathings  of 
that  unison  of  spirit  which  is  alone 
known  to  the  soldiers  of  the  great 
Captain  of  Salvation." 

About  noon  they  arrived  at  the 
Cross  of  Edinburgh,  where  they 
found  a  crowd  assembled  round  the 
Liickeubooths,  waiting  for  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  States,  which  were  then 
deliberating  anent  the  proposal  from 
the  l''rench  king,  tluit  the  Prince 
Dolphin,  his  son,  should  marry  our 
young  queen,  the  fair  and  faulty  Mary, 
whoso  doleful  captivity  and  woeful 
end  scarcely  expiated  the  sins  and 
sorrows  that  she  caused  to  her  ill- 
used  and  poor  misgoverned  native 
realm  of  Scotland. 

While  they  were  standing  in  this 
crowd,  my  grandfatlier  happened  to 
see  one  Icener  Cunningham,  a  servant 
in  tiie  household  of  the  Earl  of  Glen- 
cairn,  and  having  some  acquaintance 
of  the  nmn  before  at  Litligow.  he 
went  towards  him,  and  after  souio 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


common  tiilk,  told  on  what  errand  he 
and  liis  two  companions  had  come  to 
Edinburj,'h.  It  was  in  coiisrqiionco 
ngfL'ed  between  tliem,  tliat  tliis  Icener 
shouhl  speak  to  ills  Master  concern- 
ing tliem  ;  the  wliich  he  did  as  soon 
na  my  Lord  eamo  out  from  the  Par- 
liament; and  tlio  Earl  was  so  well 
pleased  with  the  looks  of  the  tlirec 
yonng  men,  that  he  retained  them  for 
his  service  on  the  spot,  and  they  were 
conducted  by  Icener  Cunningham 
home  to  his  Lordship's  lodgings  in  St 
Mary's  A\'ynd. 

Tims  was  my  grandfather  enlisted 
into  the  cause  of  the  Lords  of  the 
Congregation ;  and  iu  tlie  service  of 
that  great  cliumpion  of  the  Ileforma- 
tion,  the  renowned,  valiant,  and 
pious  Earl  of  (ilencairn,  lie  saw  many 
of  those  thiug.s,  the  recital  of  which 
kindled  my  young  mind  to  flame  up 
with  no  less  ardour  than  in's  against 
tlie  cruel  attempt  that  Avas  made,  in 
our  own  day  and  generation,  to  load 
the  neck  of  Scotland  with  the  grievous 
chains  of  prelatic  tyranny. 

The  Earl  of  Glencaim,  liaving 
mucli  to  do  with  the  other  Lords  of 
tlic  Congregation,  did  not  come  to 
his  lodging  till  late  in  tlio  afternoon ; 
when,  as  soon  as  he  had  passed  into 
liis  privy  chamber,  lie  sent  for  his 
tliree  new  men,  and  entered  into  sonic 
conversation  with  tliem  concerning 
what  the  people  at  Lithgow  said  and 
thought  ot  the  (iucon-dowager's  go- 
vernment, and  the  ]iroc(!edings  at 
that  time  afoot  on  behalf  of  tlic  re- 
formed religion.  But  my  grandfather 
jealoused  tliat  in  this  he  was  less 
swayed  by  the  expectation  of  gather- 
ing knowledge  from  them,  than  by  a 
wish  to  inspect  their  discretion  and. 
capacities  ;  for,  after  conversing  with 
them  for  the  space  of  half  an  hour, 
or  thereby,  he  dismissed  tliem  cour- 
teously from  his  presence,  without 
intimating  that  he  had  any  special 
service  for  them  to  perform. 


One  evening  as  the  Earl  sat  alone 
at  supper,  he  ordered  my  grandfather 
to  bo  brought  again  befort-  liim.  and 
desired  him  to  be  cup-bearer  for  that 
night.  In  this  situation,  as  Jiiy  gran<l- 
fitiier  stood  holding  (he  ciialice  and 
flagon  at  his  left  elbow,  the  Earl,  iis 
was  his  wonted  custom  witli  such  of 
the  household  as  he,  from  time  to 
time,  so  honoured,  entered  into  famil- 
iar conversation  with  him  ;  and  when 
the  servitude  and  homages  of  the 
supper  were  over,  and  the  servants 
Avere  removing  tlio  plate  and  trencii- 
crs,  he  signified,  by  a  look  and  a 
whisper,  that  ho  Avished  him  to  lin- 
ger in  the  room  till  after  tliey  Averc 
gone. 

"  Gilhaize,"  said  he,  Avhen  the 
serving-men  had  retired,  and  they 
Avere  by  themselves,  "  I  am  well  con- 
tent Avith  your  ])ru(lenee,  and  there- 
fore, before  you  are  known  to  belong 
to  my  train,  I  Avould  send  you  on  a 
confidential  errand,  for  which  you 
must  bo  ready  to  set  forth  this  very 
night." 

INIy  grandfather  made  no  reply  in 
Avords  to  this  mark  of  trust,  but 
boAved  his  head,  in  token  of  his  obed- 
ience to  the  commands  of  the  Earl. 

"I  need  not  tell  you,"  resumed 
his  mjister,  "  that,  among  the  friends 
of  the  reformed  cause,  there  are  some 
for  policy,  and  many  for  gain ;  and 
that  our  adversaries,  knoAving  this, 
leave  no  device  or  stratagem  untried 
to  soAv  sedition  among  the  Lords  and 
Leaders  of  the  Congregation.  This 
very  day  the  Earl  of  Argyle  has  re- 
ceived a  mealy-mouthed  letter  from 
that  dissolute  papist,  the  Archbishop 
of  St  Andrews,  entreating  him,  Avith 
many  sAveet  Avords,  concerning  the 
ancient  friendship  subsisting  between 
their  families,  to  banish  from  his  pro- 
tection that  good  and  pious  proselyte, 
Doughis,  liis  chaplain  ;  evidently  pre- 
suming, from  the  easy  temper  of  the 
aged  Earl,  that  he  may  be  wrought 


RINfiAN  GTLHATZE. 


one 
Iht 
iml 
liat 
ikI- 

Mul 
IH 

.of 
to 
nil. 

ICIl 

tllO 

I  its 

cli- 

(l  a 

lin- 

vero 


into  coinpliiince.  Hut  Arj^ylo  is  ftn 
lioneHt  ninn,  nnd  is  tliJH  ni^lit  to  rc- 
tnrn,  by  the  AiclibiBhon'a  mcsspn^er 
and  kinHrnan,  Sir  David  Hamilton,  n 
fitting,'  and  ])ro]ior  reply.  It  is  not 
liowcvtT  to  1)0  tlionylit,  tliiit  this  at- 
tempt to  tamper  witli  Arpylo  is  tiio 
sole  trial  wliich  the  treacherous  priest 
is  .".t  tliis  time  making  to  breed  dis- 
trust nnd  dissension  among  us,  though 
as  yet  wo  have  heard  of  none  other. 
Is'ow,  Gillwiize,  what  I  wish  you  to  do, 
and  I  think  you  can  do  it  well,  is  to 
throw  yourself  in  Sir  David's  way, 
and,  by  hook  or  crook,  get  with  liim 
to  St  Andrews,  nnd  there  try  by  all 
expedient  means  to  gain  a  knowledge 
of  what  the  Archbisliop  is  at  this  time 

f>lotting — for  plotting  wc  are  assured 
mm  this  symptom  he  is — and  it  is 
needful  to  the  cause  of  C'lirist  that 
his  wiles  should  be  circumvented." 

In  saying  these  words  the  Earl  rose, 
and,  taking  a  key  from  his  belt,  opened 
a  coffer  that  stood  in  the  corner  of  the 
room,  and  took  out  two  pieces  of 
gold,  which  he  delivered  to  my  grand- 
father, to  bear  the  expenses  of  his 
journey. 

"I  give  you,  (lilhaizo,"  said  ho, 
"  no  farther  instructions  ;  for,  unless 
I  am  mistaken  in  my  man,  you  lack 
no  better  guide  tiian  your  own  dis- 
cernment. So  God  be  with  you,  and 
His  blessing  prosper  the  undertak- 
ing." 

Aly  grandfather  was  much  moved 
at  being  so  trusted,  and  doubted  in 
liis  own  breast  if  he  was  qualified  for 
the  duty  which  his  master  had  thus 
put  upon  him.  Nevertheless  he  took 
heart  from  the  Earl's  confidence,  and, 
without  saying  anything  either  to  his 
two  companions  or  to  Teener  Cun- 
ningham, he  immediately,  on  jjarting 
from  hit  inaster,  left  the  house,  leav- 
ing his  absence  to  be  accounted  for 
to  the  servants  according  to  his  lord's 
pleasure. 

Having  been  several  times  on  er- 


rands of  his  father  in  Edinburgh  bo- 
fore,  he  was  not  ill-acquainted  with 
the  tov.r  ,  nncl  the  moon  being  up,  ho 
had  .iHfulty  in  finding  his  way 

to  Ilahby  Hridle's.  a  noted  stabler's 
at  the  foot  of  Leith  Wynd  nigh  the 
mouth  of  the  North  Loch,  where 
gallants  and  other  travellers  of  gentle 
condition  commonly  put  up  their 
liorses.  There  he  thought  it  was 
likely  Sir  David  Hamilton  had  stabled 
his  steed,  and  he  divined  that,  by 
going  thither,  he  would  learn  whether 
that  knight  had  set  forward  to  Fife, 
or  when  he  was  expected  so  to  do ; 
the  which  movement,  he  alw.ays  said, 
was  nothing  short  of  an  instinct  from 
Heaven ;  for  just  on  entering  the 
stabler's  yard,  a  groom  came  shouting 
to  the  hostler  to  get  Sir  David  Hamil- 
ton's horses  saddled  outright,  ns  his 
master  was  coming. 

Thus,  without  the  exposure  of  any 
inquiry,  he  gained  the  tidings  that  ho 
wanted,  and  with  whatspeecl  he  could 
put  into  his  heels,  he  went  forward  to 
the  pier  of  Leith,  where  he  found  a 
bark,  with  many  passengers  on  board, 
ready  to  set  sail  for  Kirkcaldy,  wait- 
ing only  for  the  arrival  of  Sir  David, 
to  whom,  as  the  Archbishop's  kins- 
man, the  boatmen  were  fain  to  pre- 
tend a  great  outward  respect ;  but 
many  a  bitter  ban,  my  grandfather 
said,  they  gave  him  for  taigling  them 
so  long,  while  wind  tind  tide  both 
served, — all  which  was  proof  and  evi- 
dence how  much  the  hearts  of  the 
conmion  people  were  then  alienated 
from  the  papistical  churchmen. 

Sir  David  having  arrived,  and  his 
horses  being  taken  aboard,  the  bark 
set  sail,  and  about  daybreak  next 
morning  she  came  to  anchor  at  Kirk- 
caldy. During  the  voyage,  my  grand- 
father, who  was  of  a  mild  and  comely 
aspect,  observed  that  the  knight  was 
more  affable  towards  him  than  to  the 
lave  of  the  passengers,  the  most  part 
of  whom  were  coopers  going  to  Dun- 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


dco  to  prepare  for  the  summer  fishing. 
Among  them  was  ouo  Patrick  (iiril- 
'wood,  the  deacon  of  the  craft,  a  mout 
comical  character,  <o  vogio  of  his 
honours  and  dignities  in  tlio  town 
council,  that  ho  could  not  get  the 
knight  told  often  enough  what  a  load 
nboon  the  burden  ho  had  in  keei)ing 
a'  things  douce  and  in  right  regulation 
amang  the  bailies.  But  Sir  David, 
fivahed  at  his  clatter,  and  to  be  quit  of 
him,  came  across  tlio  vessel,  and  be- 
gan to  talk  t'-  >.iy  grandfatlier,  al- 
thougii,  by  his  -ipparel,  he  was  no 
moot  companion  for  ouo  of  a  knight's 
'.'.'gree. 

it  happened  that  Sir  David  was 
pleased  with  his  conversation,  which 
was  not  to  be  wondered  at ;  for  in  his 
old  age,  when  I  knew  him,  he  was  a 
man  of  a  most  enticing  mildness  of 
manner,  and  withal  so  discreet  in  his 
sentences,  that  he  could  not  be  heard 
without  begetting  respect  for  his  ob- 
servance and  judgment.  So  out  of 
the  vanity  of  that  vogio  tod  of  tlio 
town  council,  was  a  means  thus  made 
by  rrovideuce  to  further  the  ends 
and  objects  of  the  Reformation,  in  so 
far  as  my  grandfather  was  concerned ; 
for  the  knight  took  a  liking  to  liim, 
and  being  told,  as  it  was  expedient  to 
give  a  reason  for  )iis  journey  to  St 
Andrews,  that  he  was  going  thither  to 
work  as  a  farrier.  Sir  David  promised 
him  not  only  his  own  countenance, 
but  to  commend  him  to  the  Arch- 
bishop. 

There  was  at  that  time  iu  Kirk- 
caldy one  Tobit  Balmuto,  a  horse- 
setter,  of  whom  my  grandfather  had 
some  knowledge  by  report.  Tliis 
Tobit  being  much  resorted  to  by  the 
courtiers  going  to  and  coming  from 
Falkland,  and  well  known  to  tlieir 
serving-men,  who  were  wont  to  speak 
of  hiiu  in  the  smiddy  at  Lithgow  as  a 
zealous  Reformer — chiefly,  as  the  pro- 
digals amon?  them  used  to  jeer  and 
say,  because  the  priests  and  friars,  iu 


their  journeyings  atween  St  Andrews 
and  Ldinburgh,  took  the  use  of  hia 
bea.U3  without  paying  for  them,  giving 
him  only  their  feckless  benisous  iu« 
stead  of  white  money. 

To  this  man  my  grandfather  ro- 
so1v(h1  to  apply  for  a  horse,  and  such 
a  one,  if  possible,  as  would  be  able 
to  carry  him  as  fast  as  Sir  David 
Hamilton's.  Accordingly,  on  getting 
to  the  land,  he  inquired  for  Tobit 
Rahnuto,  and  several  of  his  striplings 
and  liostlers  being  on  the  shore,  hav- 
ing, on  seeing  the  bark  arrive,  come 
down  to  look  out  for  travelleis  that 
might  want  horses,  he  was  conducted 
by  one  of  them  to  their  employer, 
whom  he  found  an  elderly  man,  of  tho 
corpulent  order,  sitting  in  an  elbow- 
ciiair  by  tho  fireside,  toasting  an 
oaten  bannock  on  a  pair  of  tor- 
mentors, with  a  blue  puddock-stool 
bonnet  on  his  head,  and  his  grey  hoso 
undrawn  up,  whereby  his  Ivairy  legs 
were  bare,  showing  a  power  and  girth 
such  as  my  grandfather  had  seen  few 
like  before,  testifying  to  Avhat  had 
been  the  deadly  strength  of  their 
possessor  in  his  younger  years,  llo 
was  thought  to  have  been  a  relative 
of  tiie  Roswells  of  Ralmuto. 

When  he  had  made  known  his 
want  to  Tobit,  and  that  he  was  in  a 
manner  obligated  to  be  at  St  Andrews 
as  soon  as  Sir  David  Hamilton,  tho 
horse-setter  withdrew  the  bannock 
from  before  the  ribs,  and  seeing  it 
somewhat  scowthert  and  blackent  on 
the  one  cheek,  he  took  it  off  the  tor- 
mentors, and  scraped  it  with  them,  and 
blew  away  the  brown  burning,  be- 
fore he  made  any  response  ;  then  lio 
turned  round  to  my  grandfather,  and 
looking  at  him  with  the  tail  of  his 
eye,  from  aneath  his  broad  bonnet, 
said, — 

"  Then  ye'ro  no  in  the  service  of 
his  Grace,  my  Lord^the  Archbishop? 
and  yet,  frien',  I  thi'ik  na  ye're  just  a 
peer  to  Sir  Davie    J'u;  you  need  to 


PIXOAN  0ILIIAI2E. 


t'ttlo  lit  co|iiiij,'  witli  lii.s  braw  inaro, 
ykolp-tlic-diil),  wliilk  Ist'lt  to  him  iiiy- 
fid' ;  but  iiuVr  a  bawboo  liac  I  yet 
han'lt't  o'  tlie  in'ice  ;  liowscvir  lliat's 
neither  'htc  nor  tlierc,  a  day  of  reckon- 
ing will  (01110  at  last." 

ISIy  ^'rainlfatlior  assured  Tobit  15al- 
niuto  it  was  indeed  very  true  he  was 
not  in  the  service  of  the  Archbisiiop, 
and  that  ho  would  not  have  been  so 
instant  about  pettinj,'  to  St  Andreva 
with  the  knijfht  had  he  not  a  dn  id 
and  fear  that  Sir  David  was  the  brirer 
of  BOHiething  tliat  might  be  sore  news 
to  the  flock  o'  Christ,  and  he  was  fain 
to  be  there  ns  soon  as  him,  to  speak 
in  time  of  what  he  jealoused,  that  ;iny 
of  those  in  t.ie  town,  who  stood  within 
the  reverence  of  the  Archbishop's 
aversion,  on  account  of  their  reiij.'ion, 
nught  Ret  an  inkling,  and  provide  for 
themselves. 

"  If  that's  your  errand,"  said  the 
liorse-set'er,  "  ye  s'all  hae  the  swiftest 
foot  in  my  aught  to  help  you  on,  and 
I  redde  yju  no  to  sjiare  the  spur,  for 
I'm  troubled  to  think  ye  n^ay  be  owrc 
late — Satan,  or  they  lie  upon  him,  has 
been  heating  his  cauldrons  yonder 
for  a  brewing,  and  the  Archbishop's 
tlirang  providing  the  malt.  Naefjxrther 
pane  than  yesterday,  auld  worthy  IN.r 
Slill  of  Lunan,  being  discovered  hid- 
den in  a  kiln  at  Dysart,  was  ta'en, 
they  say,  in  a  cart,  like  a  malefactor, 
.by  twa  uncircumcised  loons,  servitors 
to  his  Grace,  and  it's  thought  it  will 
go  hard  wi'  him,  on  account  of  his 
great  godliness ;  so  mak  what  haste 
ye  dow,  and  the  Lord  put  mettle  in  the 
beast  that  bears  you." 

With  that  Tobit  IJalmuto  ordered 
the  lad  who  brought  my  grandfather 
to  the  house  to  saddle  a  horse  that  he 
called  Spunkie ;  and  in  a  trice  lie  Avas 
mounted  and  on  tlie  road  after  Sir 
David,  whom  he  overtook  notwith- 
standing the  spirit  of  his  mare,  Skelp- 
the-dub,  before  he  had  cleared  the 
town  of  ratlihead,  and,  they  travelled 


onward  at  a  brisk  trot  together,  tho 
knight  becoming  more  and  more 
jdeased  with  his  companion,  in 
so  much,  that  by  tho  time  they  had 
reached  Cupar,  where  they  stopped 
to  corn,  he  lamented  that  a  young  man 
of  his  parts  should  think  of  following 
the  slavery  of  a  farrier's  life,  when  ho 
ight  rise  to  trusts  and  fortune  in  the 
Imurc  of  some  of  the  great  men  of  tho 
titne,  kindly  offering  to  procure  for 
him,  on  their  arrival  at  St  Andrews, 
the  favour  and  ]iatronago  of  hi.s  kins- 
man, the  Archbishop. 

It  was  the  afternoon,  when  my 
grandfather  and  Sir  David  Hamilton 
came  in  sight  of  St  Andrews,  and  tho 
day  being  loun  and  bright,  the  sky 
clear,  and  the  sea  calm,  he  told  mo 
that,  when  he  miw  the  many  lofty  spires 
and  towers  and  glittering  pinnacles  of 
the  town  rising  before  him,  ho  verily 
thought  he  was  approaching  the  city 
of  Jerusalem,  so  grand  and  glorious 
was  the  apparition  which  they  made 
in  tho  sunshine,  and  he  approached 
the  barricaded  gate  with  a  strange 
movement  of  awe  and  wonder  rushing 
through  the  depths  of  his  spirit. 

They,  however,  entered  not  into 
tho  city  at  that  time,  but,  i)assing 
along  the  wall  leftward,  came  to  a 
road  which  led  to  the  gate  of  the  eastlo 
where  tho  Archbishop  then  dwelt ;  and 
as  they  were  approaching  towards  it, 
Sir  David  pointed  out  tho  window 
where  Cardinal  Beaton  sat  in  tho 
pomp  of  his  scarlet  and  fine  linen  to 
witness  the  heretic  Wishart,  as  tho 
knight  called  that  holy  mau,  burnt  for 
his  sins  and  abominations. 

My  grandfather,  on  hearing  this, 
drew  his  bridle  in,  and  falling  behind 
Sir  David,  raised  his  cap  in  reverenco 
and  in  sorrow  at  the  thought  of  pass- 
ing over  the  ground  that  had  been  so 
hallowed  by  martynloin.  But  he  said 
nothing,  for  ho  knew  that  his  thoughts 
were  full  of  offence  to  those  who  were 
wrapt  in  the  errors  and  delusions  of 


10 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


popery  like  Sir  David  Hamilton  ;  and, 
moreover,  ho  liad  thanked  the  Lord 
thrice  in  the  course  of  their  journey 
for  the  favour  wiiicli  it  liad  pleased 
llini  he  should  find  in  the  sijjht  of  the 
kinsman  of  so  great  an  adversary  to  tlie 
truth  as  was  the  Arcldjishop  of  St 
Andrews,  whose  treasons  and  treach- 
eried  aj^ainst  the  Church  of  Christ  ho 
was  then  travelling  to  discover  and 
waylay. 

On  reaching  tlic  castle-yott  they 
alighted;  my  grandfather  sptinging 
lightly  fron\  the  saddle,  took  hold 
of  Sir  David's  mare  by  the  bridle-rings, 
while  the  knight  wont  forward,  and 
Avliispered  sonietliing  concerning  his 
Grace  to  a  stalwart,  liard-favoured, 
grey-haired  man-at-arms,  that  stood 
warder  of  the  port  leaiiiug  on  his 
sword,  the  blade  of  wliilk  could  not 
be  shorter  than  an  ell.  What  answer 
lie  got  was  brief,  tlie  ancient  warrior 
pointing  at  the  same  time  with  his 
right  hand  towards  a  certain  part  of 
the  city,  and  giving  a  Belial  smile  of 
eignificance ;  whereupon  Sir  David 
turned  round  without  going  into  the 
court  of  t!ie  castle,  and  bidding  my 
grandfatlier  give  the  man  tlio  beasts 
and  follow,  Avhich  he  did,  they  walked 
together  under  the  town  wall  towards 
the  east,  till  they  came  to  a  narrow 
sallyport  in  the  ramj^art,  wherewith 
the  priory  and  cathedral  had  of  old 
been  fenced  about  with  turrets  and 
bastions  of  great  strentrth  against  the 
laAvless  kerns  of  the  Highlands,  and 
especially  the  ship?  of  tlie  English,  who 
have  in  all  ages  boon  of  a  nature  gleg 
and  glad  to  nudi  and  molest  the  sea- 
liarbour  towns  of  Scotland. 

On  coming  to  the  sallyport.  Sir 
David  chapped  witli  his  win"])  twice, 
and  presently  from  within  a  wicket  was 
opened  in  the  door.s,  ribbed  with  iron 
BtMincIiers  on  the  outside,  and  a  man 
witli  the  sound  of  corpulency  in  his 
voice,  looked  through  and  inquired 
what  they  wanted.    Seeing,  however, 


wiio  it  was  that  had  knocked,  he 
fortlnvith  drew  the  bar  and  allowed 
them  to  enter,  which  was  into  a  plea- 
sant policy  adorned  with  joncpiils  and 
jelly -ilowers,  and  all  manner  of  bloom- 
ing and  odoriferous  plants,  mosi  vo- 
luptuous to  the  smell  and  ravishing 
to  behold,  the  scents  and  friigraneies 
whereof  smote  my  grandfather  for  a 
time,  as  he  snid,  with  the  very  anguish 
of  delight.  But,  on  looking  behind  to 
see  who  had  given  them  admittance, 
he  was  astounded  when,  instead  of  an 
armed  and  mailed  soldier,  ns  he  had 
thought  the  drumly-voiced  sentinel 
there  placed  was,  he  saw  a  large,  el- 
derly monk,  sitting  on  a  bench  with  a 
broken  pasty  smoking  on  a  platter 
beside  him,  and  a  Rotterdam  grey- 
beard jug  standing  by,  no  doubt  plen- 
ished  with  cordial  drink. 

Sir  David  held  no  pnrlance  with 
the  feeding  frijir.  but  going  straight 
up  the  walk  to  the  door  of  a  lodging, 
to  the  which  this  was  the  parterre  and 
garden,  he  laid  his  haml  on  the  sneek, 
and  opening  it,  bade  my  grandfather 
come  in. 

They  then  went  along  the  tranco 
towards  an  open  room,  and  on  enter- 
ing it  they  met  a  fair  damsel  ni  the 
garb  of  a  handmaid,  to  whom  the 
knight  spoke  in  such  a  manner  as  made 
it  evident  to  my  grandfather  that  the 
pair  were  on  a  familiar  footing.  By  her 
ho  was  informed  that  the  Archbishop 
was  in  the  inner  chamber  at  dinner 
with  her  unstress,  upon  which  he  de- 
sired my  grandfather  to  sit  down, 
while  he  went  ben  to  his  (Jrace. 

The  room  wliei'o  my  grandfather 
took  hi-*  seat  was  parted  from  the 
inner  ehand)er,  in  which  the  Arcli- 
bi.shop  and  his  partner  were  at  their 
festivities,  by  an  nrnis  partition,  so 
that  he  could  licar  idl  that  ])as-cd 
within,  and  the  first  Avords  his  (irace 
said  on  his  kinsnmn  going  ben  wci. — 

"Aweel,  Davie,  and  what  says 
that  auld  doddard  Argylo,   will  ho 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


n 


is    manifost    in 

and  cojiscioiice 

for   .1    liic'laiid 

bicld  y\'i'  otLur 


BCiul  mc  tlio  apostate  to  mak'  a  bcn- 
fire  ?  " 

"  Ho  lias  sent  your  Grace  a  letter," 
replied  Sir  David,  "  wherein  he  told 
me  he  had  expounded  the  reasons  and 
causes  of  his  protecting  Douglas, 
hoping  your  Grace  will  approve  the 
Banic." 

"  Approve  heresy  and  reprobacy !  " 
exclaimed  the  Archbishop  ;  "  but  gi'c 
me  the  letter,  and  sit  ye  down,  Davie. 
— Mistress  Kilspinnie,  my  dauty,  fill 
him  a  cup  of  wine,  the  malvesie,  to 

Eut  gmeddani  in  his  jnarrow  :  he'll  no 
e  the  waur  o't,  after  his  gallanting 
at  Enbro. — Stay !  what's  this  ?  the 
auld  man's  been  at  school  since 
him  and  me  hae  swappit  pajier.  !My 
word,  Argyle,  thou's  got  a  tongue  in 
thy  pen  neb !  but  this  was  ne'er  in- 
dited by  him ;  the  cloven  foot  of  the 
heretical  Carmelite 
every  line,  llonoui 
truly  I — braw  Avords 
sehore,  that  bigs  his 
folks'  gear ! 

"  Be  composed,  your  sweet  Grace, 
nnd  dinna  be  so  fashed,"  cried  a  silver 
tongucd  madam,  the  which  my  grand- 
father afterwards  found,  as  1  shall 
have  to  rehearse,  was  his  companion 
the  ]Mrs  Kilspinnie — "  what  does  he 
say?" 

"  Say  !  why  that  Douglas  p""""hcs 
against  idolatry,  and  he  remit:^  o  my 
conscience  forsooth,  gif  that  be  heresy 
— and  he  preaches  against  frivolity 
and  immorality  too — was  ever  sic 
varlet  terms  written  in  ony  noble- 
man's letter  afordlthis  apostate's  time 
— and  he  refers  that  to  my  conscience 
likewise  ! " 

"A  faggot  to  his  liody  would  be 
ower  gude  for  him,''  cried  !Mrs  Kil- 
spinnie. 

"  Ho  preaches  against  hypocrisy,'' 
said  his  Grace,  "the  which  he  alt-o 
refers  to  my  conscience — conseience 
again  !  IJae,  Davie,  tak  thir  clishma- 
cliivcrs  to  Andrew  Oliphant.     It'll  be 


spunk  to  his  zeal.  Wc  maun  strike 
our  adversaric-s  wi'  terror,  and  if  we 
canna  wile  them  back  to  the  fold, 
we'll  e'en  s<rt  the  dogs  on  them. — 
Kind  Mistress  KiLspinnie,  help  me 
fiae  the  stoup  o'  sherrifs,  for  I  canna 
but  say  that  this  scalded  heart  1  hae 
gotten  frae  that  auld  shavling-gabbit 
hielander  haspatmein  a  waefu'i)light, 
and  I  stand  in  need,  my  lambie,  o'  a' 
your  winsome  comforting." 

At  which  word.^  Sir  David  came 
forth  the  chamber  with  the  letter  in 
hie  hand;  but  seeiii'j  my  grandfather, 
whom  it  would  seem  he  had  forgot- 
ten, he  went  euddenly  back  and  said 
to  his  Grace — 

"  Pleajse  you,  my  Lord,  I  hao 
brought  with  me  a  young  man  of  a 
good  capacity  and  a  ripe  understand- 
ing, that  I  would  commend  to  your 
Graces  service.  He  is  here  in  the 
outer  room  waiting  your  Grace's 
pleasure." 

"  Davie  Hamilton,"  replied  the 
Archbishop,  "ve  sometimes  lack  dis- 
cretion— what  for  did  je  bring  a 
stranger  into  thii?  house — knoAving,  as 
ye  ought  to  do.  that  I  ne'er  come 
hither  but  when  I'm  o'  a  sickly  frame, 
and  in  need  o'  solace  and  repose  ? 
Howsevcr,  since  the  lad's  there,  bid 
him  come  ben.'' 

Upon  this.  Sir  Daviilcame  out  and 
beckoned  my  grandfather  to  go  in  ; 
and  when  he  went  forward,  he  saw 
none  in  that  inner  chaniber  but  his 
Grace  and  the  Mrs  Kilspinnie,  with 
whom  he  was  sitting  on  a  settee, 
before  a  wili  garriished  table,  Avhereon 
was  divers  f?ii\-er  tlagons,  canisters  of 
comfits,  and  goblets  of  the  crystal  of 
Venetia. 

He  looked  Jsharp  at  my  grand- 
father, perusing  liim  from  head  t*^ 
foot,  who  put  on  for  the  occasion  a 
face  of  modtfityand  revertiice,  but  ho 
was  none  daunted,  for  all  his  eyes  were 
awake,  and  he  took  such  a  cognition 
of  his  Grace  as  he  never  afterwards 


12 


RINGAN  GILHAIZTi!. 


forgot.  Incloecl,  I  have  often  heard 
liim  say,  that  he  saw  more  of  the  niau 
in  tlie  brief  space  of  tliat  interview, 
than  of  otliers  in  many  intromissions, 
and  he  used  to  depict  him  to  me  as  a 
hale  black-avise^l  carl,  of  an  o'ersca 
look,  with  a  long  dark  beard  inclining 
to  grey ;  his  abundant  hair,  flowing 
down  from  liis  cowl,  was  also  clouded 
and  streaked  with  the  kitiiings  of  the 
cranreucli  of  age — there  Avas,  liow- 
ever,  a  youthy  and  luscious  twinkling 
in  his  eyes,  that  showed  how  little  the 
passage  of  three  and  fifty  winters  had 
changed  the  grovelling  tendency  of  liis 
nature.  'J'he  better  to  observe  and 
converse  with  my  grandfather,  ho 
threw  himself  bacjk  in  his  seat,  as- 
suming a  free-and-easy  posture  which 
afforded  his  visitor  an  opportunity 
of  scanning  closely  his  proportions; 
while  Mrs  Kils[iiimio,  unseen  by 
his  papistical  highness,  was  all  the 
time  attentively  watching  my  grand- 
father, who,  as  I  have  said,  was  a 
comely  and  well  -  favoured  young 
man. 

After  some  few  questions  as  to  his 
name  and  parentngo,  the  prelate  said 
he  would  give  him  his  livery,  being 
then  anxious,  on  account  of  the  signs 
of  the  times,  to  fortify  his  household 
with  stout  and  valiant  youngsters ; 
and  bidding  him  draw  near  and  to 
kneel  down,  he  laid  his  hand  on  his 
head,  and  mumbled  a  benedicite  ;  the 
whicli  my  grandfather  said,  was  as  tlic 
Bmell  of  rottenness  to  his  spirit,  the 
old  cccletifistic  being  then  living  in 
open  sin  with  his  guilty  favourite, 
for  Rucli  w.as  this  Mrs.  Kilspinnie, 
her  husband,  a  creditable  man,  being 
tlien  living,  and  one  of  tlie  bailies  of 
Crail.  Isov  is  it  to  be  debated,  tliat 
the  scene  was  such  as  ouglit  not  to 
have  been  seen  in  a  Christian  land  ; 
but  in  those  days  the   blasphemous 

Erogeny   of    the  Roman  harlot  were 
old  witli  tlie  audacious  sinfulness  of 
their  parent,  and  set  little  store  i>y 


the  fear  of  God,  or  the  contempt  of 
man.  It  was  a  sore  trial  and  a  strug- 
gle in  the  bosom  of  my  grandfather 
that  day,  to  think  of  making  a  sliow 
of  Iiomage  and  service  towards  the 
mitred  I5elial  and  high  priest  of  the 
abominations  wherewith  tlic  realm 
was  polluted,  and  when  he  rose  from 
under  his  paw,  he  shuddered,  and  felt 
as  if  he  had  received  the  foul  erls  of 
perdition  from  the  Evil  One.  iMany 
a  bitter  tear  he  long  after  shed  iu 
secret  for  the  hypocrisy  of  that  hour, 
the  guilt  of  which  was  never  sweet- 
ened to  his  conscience,  even  by  the 
thought  that  he  maybe  thereby  helped 
to  further  the  great  redemption  of  his 
native  land,  iu  the  blessed  cleansing 
of  the  Reformation. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Siu  David  IIamii.tox  conducted  my 
grandfather  back  through  the  garden 
and  the  sallyjjort  to  tlie  castle,  where 
he  made  him  acquainted  with  his 
(i race's  seneschal,  by  whom  he  was 
most  hospitably  entertained  Avhen  the 
knight  had  left  them  together,  receiv- 
ing from  him  a  cup  of  hippocras,  and 
a  plentiful  repast,  the  like  of  wliich, 
for  the  savouriness  of  the  viands,  was 
seldom  seen  out  of  the  howfs  of  the 
monks. 

'ihe  seneschal  was  called  by  name 
Leonard  Meldrum,  and  was  a  most 
douce  and  composed  character,  mcU 
strif'ken  in  years,  and  though  en- 
grained with  the  errors  of  papistry,  aa 
was  natural  for  one  bred  and  cherished 
in  the  house  of  the  speaking  horn  of 
the  Tx'ast,  for  such  the  high  priest  of 
St  Andrews  was  well  likened  to,  ho 
was  nevertheless  a  man  of  a  hiunane 
heart  and  great  tenderness  of  con- 
sc'i'iice. 

'J"ho  while  my  grandfather  was 
sitting  with  hin.  at  the  board,   ho 


RINGAN  aiLHAIZE. 


18 


lamented  tlmt  the  Cliurcli,  so  he  ile- 
noniinatcd  tlie  papal  abomination, 
was  so  far  gone  with  the  spirit  of 
punishment  and  of  cruelty,  as  rather 
to  shock  men's  minds  into  schism  and 
rebellion,  than  to  allure  them  back 
into  worship  and  reverence,  and  to  a 
repentance  of  their  heresies.  A  strain 
of  discourse  which  my  grandfatlier  so 
little  expected  to  hear  within  the  gates 
and  precincts  of  the  guilty  castle  of  St 
Andrews,  that  it  made  him  for  a  time 
distrust  the  sincerity  of  the  old  man, 
and  he  was  very  guarded  in  what  he 
himself  answered  thereto.  Leonard 
Meldrum  was,  however,  honest  in  his 
way,  and  rehearsed  many  things 
which  had  been  done  within  his  own 
knowledge  against  the  Reformers, 
that,  as  he  said,  human  nature  could 
not  abide,  nor  the  just  and  merciful 
Heavens  well  pardon. 

Thus,  from  less  to  more,  my 
grandfather  and  he  fell  into  frank 
communion,  and  he  gave  him  such 
an  account  of  the  bloody  Cardinal 
Beaton,  as  was  most  awful  to  hear, 
saying,  that  his  then  present  master, 
with  all  his  faults  and  prodigalities, 
was  a  saint  of  purity  comjjared  to 
that  rampag'ous  cardinal,  tlie  wiiich 
to  hear,  my  grandfather  thinking  of 
■what  he  had  seen  in  the  lodging  of 
Madam  Kilspinnie,  was  seized  Avith 
such  a  horror  thereat,  that  he  could 

i>artake  no  more  of  the  repast  before 
lim  ;  and  he  was  likewise  moved  into 
a  great  awe  and  wonder  of  sjtirit,  that 
the  Lord  should  thus,  in  tlie  very 
chief  sanctuary  of  papistry  in  all  Scot- 
land, be  alienating  the  affections  of 
the  servants  from  their  master,  pre- 
paring the  way,  as  it  were,  for  an  utter 
desertion  and  desolation  to  ensue. 

'J'iiey  afterwards  talked  of  tlie 
latter  end  of  that  great  martyr,  Mr 
George  Wishart,  and  the  seneschal 
informed  him  of  several  things  con- 
cerning the  same,  that  were  most 
edifying,  though  sorrowful  to  hear. 


"  lie  was,"  said  he,  "placed  under 
my  care,  and  methinks  I  sliall  ever 
see  him  before  me,  so  meek,  so  holy, 
and  so  goodly  was  his  aspect.  lie 
was  of  tall  stature,  black  haired,  long 
bearded,  of  a  graceful  carriage,  elegant, 
courteous,  and  ready  to  teach.  In 
his  apparel  he  was  most  comely,  and  in 
his  diet  of  an  abstemious  temperance. 
On  the  morning  of  his  execution, 
when  I  gave  him  notice  that  he  was 
not  to  be  allowed  to  Lave  the  sacra- 
ment, he  smiled  with  a  holiness  of 
resignation  that  almost  melted  me  to 
weep.  I  then  invited  him  to  partake 
of  my  breakfast,  which  he  accepted 
wit;,  cheerfulness,  saying — 

"  '  I  will  do  it  very  willingly,  and 
so  much  the  rathe  i\  because  I  perceive 
you  to  be  a  good  Christian,  and  a 
man  fearing  God.' 

"  1  then  ordered  in  the  breakfast, 
and  he  said — 

"  '  I  beseech  you,  for  the  love  you 
bear  to  our  Saviour,  to  be  silent  a 
little  while,  till  I  have  made  a  short 
exhortation,  and  blessed  this  bread 
we  are  to  eat.' 

"  He  then  spoke  about  the  space  of 
half-an-hour  of  our  Saviour's  death 
and  passion,  exhorting  me,  and  those 
who  were  present  with  me,  to  mutual 
love  and  holiness  of  life  ;  and  giving 
thanks,  brake  the  bread,  distributing  a 
part  to  those  about  him ;  then  taking 
a  cup,  he  bade  us  remember  that 
Christ's  blood  was  shed  to  wash  away 
our  sins,  and,  tasting  it  himself,  ho 
handed  it  to  me,  and  I  likewise  \rM-- 
took  of  it :  then  he  concluded  with 
another  prayer,  at  the  end  of  which 
he  said,  '  I  will  neither  drink  nor  eat 
any  more  in  this  world,'  and  lie  fortii- 
with  entered  into  an  inner  chamber 
wiiere  his  bed  was,  leaving  us  filled 
with  admiration  and  sorrow,  and  our 
eyes  flowing  with  tears." 

To  this  the  seneschal  added,  "I 
fear,  I  fear,  v/e  are  soon  to  liavo 
another  scene  of  the  same  sort,  for  to- 


14 


HINGAN  GILHAIZE, 


morrow  tlie  Bishops  of  Murray,  .iikI 
lU'echin,  and  Caithness,  with  other 
diffnitarics,  are  summoned  to  tlie 
cathedral,  to  sit  on  judguient  on  the 
atfed  priest  of  Ijunau,  that  was  brought 
liither  from  Dysart  yestereen,  and 
from  the  ho.id  the  newfangled  heresies 
are  making,  there's  little  doubt  that 
the  poor  auld  man  will  be  made  an 
example.  Ah  !  M'oes  me !  far  better 
would  it  bo  an  they  would  make  an 
example  of  the  like  of  the  Earls  of 
Argyle  and  Glencairn,  by  whom  the 
reprobates  are  so  encouraged." 

"And  is  this  Mill,"  inquired  my 
grandfather  with  diffidence,  for  his 
heart  was  so  stung  with  what  he 
heard,  that  ho  could  scarcely  feign 
the  necessary  hypocrisy  which  the 
peril  lie  stood  in  required — "  Is  this 
Mill  in  the  castle  V  " 

"  Sorry  am  I  to  say  it,"  replied  the 
Eonesclial,  "  and  under  my  keeping  ; 
but  1  darena  show  him  the  pity  tliat 
I  would  fain  do  to  his  grey  hairs  and 
aged  limbs.  Some  of  the  monks  of 
the  priory  arc  with  him  just  now,  trying 
to  get  him  to  recant  his  errors,  with 
the  promise  of  a  beiu  provision  for 
the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  abbey 
of  Dunferadine,  the  whilk  I  hope  our 
bic^ised  Lady  will  put  it  into  his  heart 
to  accept." 

"  I  trust,"  said  my  grandfather  in 
the  core  of  his  bosom,  "  tliat  the 
Lord  will  fortify  him  to  resist  tiio 
tcmi)tatioH." 

This,  however,  the  seneschal  heard 
not,  for  ii  was  ejaculated  inwardly, 
and  ho  subjoined — 

"  When  the  monks  go  away,  I  will 
take  you  in  to  see  him,  for  truly  ho  is 
a  i^ight  far  more  moving  to  com[)a.ssiou 
than  (h'spleasurc,  whatsoever  his  sins 
and  lieresies  may  be." 

In  tiiis  manner,  for  the  space  of 
more  tlian  an  hour,  did  my  grand- 
fatiier  hold  converse  and  communion 
with  liconard  Meldrum,  in  wiiom  he 
waj   often   heard  to  Bay,  there  was 


more  of  the  leaven  of  a  RanctKied 
nature,  than  in  the  disposition  of 
many  zealous  and  professing  Chris- 
tians. 

When  the  two  sliavlings  that  had 
been  afllicting  blaster  Mill  with  the  of- 
fer of  the  wages  of  Satan  were  dep.ar- 
ted  from  the  castle,  the  seneschal  rose, 
and  bidding  my  grandfather  to  como 
after  him,  they  went  out  of  the  room, 
and  traversing  a  narrow  dark  passago 
with  many  windings,  came  to  the  foot 
of  a  turnpike  stair  which  led  up  into 
tiio  sea  tower,  so  called  because  it 
stood  farthermost  of  all  the  castle  in 
the  sea,  and  in  the  chamber  thereof 
they  found  Master  Mill  alone,  sitting 
at  the  window,  with  his  ancient  and 
shrivelled  lean  hand  resting  on  the  sole 
and  supporting  his  chin,  as  he  looked 
through  the  iron  stainchers  abroad  on 
the  ocean  that  was  sleeping  in  a  blessed 
tranquillity  around,  all  glowing  and 
golden  with  the  schimmer  of  the  set- 
ting sun, 

"How  fares  it  with  you?"  eaid 
the  seneschal  with  a  kindly  accent ; 
whereu])on  the  old  man,  who  had  not 
heard  them  enter,  being  tranced  in 
his  own  holy  meditations,  turned 
round,  and  my  grandfather  said  ho 
felt  liimself,  when  he  beheld  ills  coun- 
tenance, so  .smitten  vith  awe  nnd  ad- 
miration, that  he  could  not  for  s'^"i'> 
time  advance  irstep. 

"  Come  in,  JNIaster  IMeldrum,  and 
sit  ye  down  by  me  ! "  said  tiie  godly 
man.  "  Draw  near  unto  mo,  for  I  am 
a  thought  hard  of  hearing.  The  Lord 
has  of  late,  by  steeking  tlie  doors  and 
windows  of  my  cai'tldy  tabernacle, 
been  admonisliing  mo  that  the  gloam- 
ing is  con..,  and  tUe  hour  of  rest  can- 
not be  far  off." 

His  voice,  said  my  grandfather,  was 
as  tlie  sound  of  a  mournful  melody, 
but  his  countonanco  was  brightened 
with  a  solemn  joyfulness.  lie  was  of  a 
pale  and  spiritualcomplexion ;  his  eyes 
beamed  as  it  were  with  a  living  light, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


16 


and  often  glanced  thoughts  of  heavenly 
iniagiiiing.s,  even  as  he  sat  in  silence. 
He  was  tlien  fourscore  and  two  years 
old  ;  but  liis  a|)[)earauce  was  more 
aged,  for  his  life  had  been  full  of 
suifering  and  poverty;  and  his  vener- 
able hands  and  skinny  arms  were 
heart-melting  evidences  of  his  ineffec- 
tual power  to  struggle  much  longer 
in  the  warfare  of  this  world.  lu  sooth, 
he  was  a  chosen  wheat-ear,  ripened 
and  ready  for  the  garnels  of  salva- 
tion. 

"  I  have  brought,  Master  Mill," 
said  the  seneschal,  "  a  discreet  youth  to 
sec  you,  not  out  of  a  vaiu  curiosity, 
for  he  sorrows  with  an  exceeding 
grief  that  such  an  aged  person  should 
be  brought  into  a  state  of  so  groat 
jeopardy;  but  I  hope,  !Mastcr  Mill, 
it  will  go  well  with  you  yet,  and  that 
ye'll  repent  and  accept  the  boon  that 
1  hae  heard  was  to  be  proffered." 

To  these  words  the  aged  saint 
mad'i  no  reply  for  the  space  of  about 
a  minute  ;  at  the  end  of  which  he 
raised  his  hands,  and  casting  his  eyes 
heavenward  exclaimed — 

"I  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  the 
days  of  sore  trial,  and  want,  and  hun- 
ger, and  thirst,  and  destitution,  which 
thou  hast  been  pleased  to  bestow  upon 
me,  for  by  them  have  I,  even  iio',''  as 
I  stand  on  the  threshold  of  life,  been 
enabled,  through  thy  merciful  lieart- 
enings,  to  set  at  nought  the  tempta- 
tions wherewith  I  have  been  tempted." 

And,  turning  to  the  seneschal,  he 
added  mildly,  "  But  I  am  bound  to 
you,  Master  Meldrum,  in  great  obli- 
gations, for  I  know  that,  in  the  hoi)e 
you  have  now  expressed,  there  is  the 
spirit  of  much  cliaritableness,  albeit 
you  discern  not  the  deadly  malady 
tliat  the  sin  of  compliance  would  bring 
to  my  poor  soul.  No,  Sir,  it  would 
na  be  worth  my  while  now,  for  world's 
pain,  to  read  a  recajitation.  And 
blessed  be  God,  it's  ao  in  my  power 
to  yield,  so  deeply  are  the  truths  of 


his  laws  engraven  upon  the  tablet 
of  my  heart." 

I'liey  tiien  fell  into  more  general 
discourse,  and  while  they  were  sjicak- 
ing,  a  halberdier  came  into  the  room 
with  a  paper,  whereby  the  prisoner 
was  summoned  to  apj)ear  in  the  ca- 
tliedral  next  day  by  ten  o'clock,  to 
answer  divers  matteis  of  heresy  and 
schism  laid  to  his  charge ;  and  the 
man  having  delivered  the  summons, 
said  to  the  seneschal,  that  he  was 
ordered  by  Sir  Andrew  Oliphant,  to 
bid  him  refrain  from  visiting  the 
prisoner,  and  to  retire  to  his  own 
lodging. 

The  seneschal  to  this  command 
said  nothing,  but  rose,  and  my  grand- 
father likewise  rose.  Fain  would  he 
have  knelt  down  to  beg  the  blessing 
of  the  martyr,  but  the  worthy  Master 
INIeldi'um  signified  to  him  with  a  look 
to  coni  ..  j  once  away ;  and  when  they 
Avere  returned  back  into  his  chamber 
where  the  repast  had  been  served,  he 
told  him,  that  there  was  a  danger  of 
falling  under  the  evil  thoughts  of 
OlipliantjWere  he  to  be  seen  evidencing 
anything  like  respect  towards  prison- 
ers accused  of  the  great  and  heinous 
sin  of  heresy. 

The  next  day  was  like  a  cried  fair 
in  St  Andrews.  All  the  country  from 
ayont  Cupar,  and  many  reformed  and 
godly  persons,  even  from  Dundee  and 
Perth,  were  gathered  into  the  city  to 
hear  the  trial  of  JNIastcr  Walter  Mill. 
Iho  streets  were  filled  with  horses, 
and  men  with  whips  in  their  hands; 
and  spurs  at  their  heels,  and  there  was 
a  great  going  to  and  fro  among  the 


multitude ;  but, 


in  its  niun- 


bers,  the  congregation  of  the  people 
was  in  no  other  complexion  either 
like  a  fair  or  a  tryst.  Every  visage 
was  darkened  with  douro  thoughts ; 
none  spoke  cheerfully  aloud ;  but 
there  was  whispering  and  muttering, 
and  ever  and  anon  the  auld  men  wore 
seen  wagging  their  heads  in  sorrow, 


16 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


wliilo  the  younp;  or'wd  often  "  Shame! 
shume  !  "  luul  \v'itli  vehoinont  gestures 
clave  the  air  with  tlieir  right  liands, 
grasping  their  whips  and  staffs  witii 
the  vigour  of  indignation. 

At  last  tlie  big  bell  of  the  cathe- 
dral began  to  jow,  at  the  doleful  sound 
of  which  there  was,  for  the  space  of 
two  or  three  minutes,  a  silence  and 
pause  in  tlio  multitude,  as  if  they  had 
boon  struck  witli  panic  and  consterna- 
tion ;  for  till  then  there  was  a  hope 
among  them  that  the  persecutors 
would  relent ;  but  the  din  of  the  bell 
was  as  the  signal  of  death  and  despair, 
and  the  people  were  soon  awakened 
from  their  astonishment  by  the  cry 
that  "the  bis'nops  are  coming;" 
whereat  there  was  a  groat  rush  towards 
the  gates  of  the  cluirch,  which  was 
presently  filled,  l^^aving  only  a  passage 
lip  the  middle  f.isle. 

In  the  quire  a  table  was  spread 
with  a  purple  velvet  cloth,  and  at  the 
upper  end,  before  i'.o  higli  place  of 
the  mass,  was  a  stool  of  state  for  ti>e 
Archbishop  ;  on  each  side  stood  chairs 
for  tlie  Bishops  of  iSlurray,  Urecliin, 
and  Caithness  and  his  other  suffra- 
gans, summoned  to  sit  in  judgment 
with  him. 

jMy  grandfather,  armed  and  wear- 
ing the  Archbishop's  livery,  was  with 
those  that  guarded  the  way  for  the 
cruel  prelates,  and  by  tlio  pressure  of 
the  tlirong  in  convoying  tlicm  into 
their  place,  ho  was  driven  within  the 
screen  of  the  quire,  and  saw  and  heard 
all  that  passed. 

"When  tliey  had  taken  their  seats, 
!Master  Mill  was  brought  before  them 
from  tile  prior's  chamber,  whither  ho 
had  been  secretly  conducted  early  in 
the  morning,  to  the  end  that  his  great 
age  might  not  be  seen  of  the  people 
to  worit  on  tlieir  compassion.  Bat, 
notwitlistanding  the  forethought  of 
tliis  device,  when  ho  came  in,  his  white 
hair,  and  liis  saintly  look,  and  his 
feeble  tottering  steps,  softened  every 


heart ;  even  the  very  legate  of  anti- 
christ", the  Archbishop  himself,  my 
grandfather  said,  was  evidently  moved, 
and  for  a  season  looked  at  the  poor 
infirm  old  m.an  as  he  would  iiavo 
spared  him,  and  a  murmur  of  univer- 
sfil  commiseration  ran  through  tho 
church. 

On  being  taken  to  the  bottom  of 
the  table,  and  placed  foment  tho 
Archbishop,  Master  Mill  knelt  down 
and  prayed  for  support,  in  a  voice  so 
firm,  and  clear,  and  eloquent,  that  all 
present  were  surprised ;  for  it  rung 
to  the  farthest  corner  of  that  great 
edifice,  and  smote  the  hearts  of  hia 
oppressors  as  with  the  dread  of  a 
menacing  oracle. 

Sir  Andrew  Oliphant,  who  acted  a3 
clerk  and  chancellor  on  the  occasion, 
began  to  fret  as  he  heard  him  thus 
strengthened  of  the  liOrd,  and  cried, 
peevishly — 

"  Sir  Walter  ^lill,  get  up  and 
answer,  for  you  keep  my  lords  hero 
too  long." 

lie,  however,  heeded  not  this  com- 
mand, but  continued  undisturbed  till 
lie  had  finished  his  devotion,  when  ho 
rose  and  said — 

"  I  am  bound  to  obey  God  more 
than  man,  and  I  serve  a  mightier  Tjord 
than  yours.  You  call  me  Sir  Walter, 
but  I  am  only  AValter.  Too  long  was 
I  one  of  tho  Pope's  knights  :  but  now 
say  what  you  have  to  say." 

Oliphant  was  somewhat  cowed  by 
this  bold  reply,  and  ho  bowed  down, 
and  turning  over  his  papers,  read  a 
portion  of  one  of  them  to  himself,  and 
then  raising  his  head,  said — 

"  What  thiukest  thou  of  priests' 
marriage  ?  " 

The  old  man  looked  bravely  towards 
the  bishops,  and  answered  with  an 
intrepid  voice — 

"  I  esteem  marriage  a  blessed  bond, 
ordained  by  God,  approved  by  Christ, 
and  made  free  to  all  sorts  of  men  ; 
but  you  abhor  it,  and  in  the  meantime 


UIXGAN  GILHAIZE. 


17 


take  other  men's  wives  .and  daughters ; 
you  vow  cliastity,  and  keep  it  not." 

My  grandfather  at  these  words 
looked  unawares  towards  the  Arch- 
bishop, tiiinking  of  what  he  had  seen 
in  the  lodging  of  Mrs  Kilspinnie  ;  and 
their  eyes  chancing  to  meet,  his  Grace 
turned  his  liead  suddenly  away  as  if 
he  had  been  rebuked. 

Divers  other  questions  were  then 
put  by  Oliphant,  toucliing  the  sacra- 
ments, tiie  idolatry  of  the  mass,  and 
transubstantiation,  with  other  points 
concerning  bishops,  and  pilgrimages, 
and  the  worshipping  of  God  in  un- 
consecratcd  places;  to  all  which  Master 
Mill  answered  in  so  brave  a  manner, 
contrary  to  the  papists,  that  even  Oli- 
phant himself  often  looked  reproved 
and  confounded.  At  last  the  choler 
of  that  sharp  weapon  of  persecution 
began  to  rise,  and  he  said  to  him 
sternly — 

"  If  you  will  not  recant,  I  will  pro- 
nounce sentence  (jgainst  you." 

"  I  know,"  replied  Master  Mill, with 
an  apostolic  constancy  and  fortitude,  "I 
know  that  I  must  die  once  ;  and  there- 
fore, as  Christ  said  to  Judas,  AVhat 
thou  doest  do  quickly.  You  shall 
know  that  I  will  not  recant  the  truth  ; 
for  I  am  corn  and  not  chaff.  I  will 
neither  be  blown  away  by  the  wind, 
nor  burst  with  the  flail,  but  will  abide 
both." 

At  these  brave  words  a  sough  of 
admiration  sounded  through  the 
chxirch,  but,  instead  of  deterring  the 
prelates  from  proceeding  with  their 
wicked  purpose,  it  only  served  to 
harden  their  hearts  and  to  rouse  their 
anger  ;  for  when  tiicy  had  conferred 
a  few  minutes  apart,  Oliphant  was 
ordered  to  condemn  him  to  the  fire, 
and  to  deliver  him  over  to  the  temporal 
magistrates  to  see  execution  done. 

No  sooner  was  the  sentence  known, 
than  a  cry  like  a  howl  of  wrath  rose 
from  all  the  people,  and  the  provost 
of  the  town,  who  waa  present  with 


the  bailies,  hastily  quitted  the  church 
and  fled,  abhorring  the  task,  and  fear- 
ful lest  it  would  be  put  upon  him  to 
see  it  done,  he  being  also  bailie  of 
the  archbishop's  regalities. 

When  the  sentence  was  pro- 
nounced, the  session  of  the  court  was 
adjourned,  and  the  bishops,  aa  they 
were  guarded  back  to  the  castle,  heard 
many  a  malison  from  the  multitude, 
who  were  ravenous  against  them. 

The  aged  martyr  being  led  back 
to  the  prior's  chamber,  was,  under 
cloud  of  night,  taken  to  the  castle  ; 
but  my  grandfather  saw  no  more  of 
him,  nor  of  Master  Meldrum,  the 
seneschal ;  for  there  was  a  great  fear 
mong  the  bishop's  men  that  the 
multitude  would  rise  and  attempt  a 
rescue ;  and  my  grandfather,  not  being 
inclined  to  go  so  far  with  his  disguise 
as  to  fight  against  that  cause,  took  oc- 
casion, in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  to 
slip  out  of  the  castle,  and  to  hide 
himself  in  the  town,  being  reisolved, 
after  what  he  had  witnessed,  no 
longer  to  abide,  even  as  a  spy,  in  a 
service  which  his  soul  loathed. 

All  the  night  long  there  was  a  great 
commotion  in  the  streets,  and  lights  in 
many  houses,  and  a  sound  of  lamen- 
tation mingled  with  rage.  The  noise 
was  as  if  some  dreadful  work  was 
going  on.  There  was  no  shouting, 
nor  any  sound  of  men  united  to- 
gether, but  a  deep  and  hoarse  murmur 
rose  at  times  from  the  people,  like  the 
sound  of  the  bandless  waves  of  the 
sea  when  they  are  driven  by  the 
strong  impulses  of  the  tempest.  The 
spirit  of  the  times  was  indeed  upon 
them,  and  it  was  manifest  to  my 
grandfather,  that  there  wanted  that 
night  but  the  voice  of  a  captain  to 
bid  them  hurl  their  wrath  and  ven- 
geance against  the  towers  and  strong- 
holds of  the  oppressors. 

At  the  dawn  of  day  the  garrison 
of  the  castle  came  forth,  and  on  the 
spot  where  the  martyrdom   of   Mr 


B 


IS 


EINCxAN  GILHATZE. 


George  Wishart  liad  been  accom- 
plished, a  stake  was  driven  into  the 
ground,  and  faggots  and  barrels  of 
tar  were  placed  around  it,  piled  up 
almost  as  high  as  a  man  ;  in  the 
middle,  next  to  the  stake,  a  place  was 
left  for  the  sufferer. 

But  when  all  things  were  prepared, 
no  rope  could  be  had — no  one  in  all 
the  town  would  give  or  sell  a  cord 
to  help  the  sacritice  of  iniquity,  nor 
would  any  of  the  magistrates  come 
forth  to  see  the  execution  done,  so  it 
was  thougiit  for  :r  time  that  the 
liungry  cruelty  of  the  persecutors 
would  be  disappointed  of  its  banquet. 
One  Somervilii*,  however,  who  was 
officer  of  the  Archbishop's  guard,  be- 
tliought  himself,  in  tliis  extremity,  of 
the  ropes  wher"witli  his  master's 
pavilion  was  fastened,  and  he  went 
and  took  the  same ;  and  then  his  men 
brought  forth  the  aged  martyr,  at  the 
eight  of  whom  the  multitude  set  up 
a  dreadful  imprecation,  the  roar  and 
growling  groan  of  which  was  as  if  a 
thousand  furious  tigresses  had  been 
robbed  of  their  young.  Many  of 
Somerville's  halberdiers  looked  cowed, 
and  their  faoes  were  aghast  witii  terror ; 
and  some  oried,  compassionately,  aa 
they  saw  the  bles-sed  old  man  brouglit, 
with  his  hands  tied  behind  him,  to  the 
Btakc,  "  Recint,  recant !" 

The  monks  and  friars  of  the  differ- 
ent monasteries,  who  were  all  tliere 
assembled  around,  took  up  the  word, 
and  bitterly  taunting  him,  cried  like- 
wise, *'  Recant,  recant  an<l  save 
thyself!"  He,  however,  replied  to 
them  with  an  awful  austerity — 

"  I  marvel  at  your  rage,  ye  hypo- 
crites, who  do  80  cruelly  pursue  the 
servants  of  (iod.  As  for  me,  I  ain 
now  fourscore  and  two  years  old,  and 
by  course  of  nature  cannot  live  long ; 
but  liuixhed.s  shall  rise  out  of  my 
ashes  who  sli.-ill  scatter  you,  ye  perse- 
cutors of  God's  people." 

Sir  Andrew   Oliphant,  who    was 


tliat  day  the  busiest  h\<:h  jrksit  <-)(  the 
horrible  sacrifice,  at  iIh  f<;  wi^rds 
pushed  him  forward  into  ii>e  n^ist!  of 
the  faggots  and  fuel  aT-onu'J  i?  •;  *t;ike. 
IJut,  nothing  moved  by  iLi*-  r  mi-r-'e- 
less  indignity,  the  miulyr  ]  •  1  l  t''>r 
a  moment  at  the  jiile  villi  l  .1.'!  a- 
ance  full  of  cheerful  r^-^:.:  ■■  a,  amd 
tlien  requested  i>enLiiK--j'.'jj  Hi*  aay  a 
few  words  to  the  pef>]i]e- 

"You  have  spoken  toa  maeh/' 
cried  Oliphant,  "  and  tbe  i>ii3i;.of  a  are 
exceedingly  displeased  wTtii  wluitt  yoa 
have  .said." 

liut  the  multitude  eicliuaiwrj.  •'•  Let 
him  be  heard  !  let  Lim  Fj>t;iik  wBia*  he 
pleases  ! — speak,  and  la^m  met  Oli- 
phant." At  which  he  lootf'l  tf>ward3 
them  and  said — 

"  Dear  friends,  the  CKmt  irhj  I 
suffer' this  day  is  not  for  aauj  imurne  hv  1 
to  my  charge,  though  1  *tijL'0'wI,}dge 
my.self  a  miserable  smnw.  Iotii  qbIt  for 
the  defence  of  the  truli*  fd  Jesns 
Christ,  as  set  forth«iii  tiii«  OM  and 
New  Testaments."' 

lie  then  began  to  prar.  xjsxi  while 
his  eyes  were  shut,  two  of  ScoDerTille's 
men  threw  a  cord  with  a  rraiiiiEms-Ioop 
round  his  body,  and  bouiKi  Mm  to  the 
stake.  'J'he  fire  was  tbeii  km«ifcd.  and 
at  the  sight  of  the  smoke  tHirt-  naiiiMtude 
uttered  a  shriek  of  angnida.  aD.«i  many 
ran  away,  tmable  to  bear  mut  tonger 
the  sight  of  that  wofnl  mragedy. 
Among  others,  my  grjuLiMjitter  alao 
ran,  nor  halted  till  he  'vas  tamat  to  a 
place  under  the  rocks  on  Hut  south 
side  of  the  town,  where  Ixe  wmlri  see 
nothing  before  him  but  ni-i  lonely 
desert  of  the  calm  jmi  eoondlesa 
ocean. 

Alany  a  time  did  my  rr-»it4father, 
in  hi.s  old  age.  when  jilJ  nRiiiss  he 
spoke  were  but  rcmeml:>Tan>W!».  try  to 
tell  what  pas.sed  in  his  bowoim;  whih? 
he  was  sitting  alone,  utid*ir(i8iK0Hw  cliffy 
rock.s,  gazing  on  the  silent Bsu-'i  mnooent 
sea,  thinking  of  that  dneai'Shd!  work, 
more  hideous  than  tiK!   iMwors   of 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


19 


winds  and  waves,  with  which  blinded 
men,  in  the  lusts  of  their  idolatry, 
were  then  blackening  the  ethereal  face 
of  heaven  ;  but  he  was  ever  unable  to 
proceed  for  the  struggloa  of  his  spirit 
and  the  gushing  of  his  tears.  Verily 
it  was  an  awful  thing  to  see  that 
patriarchal  man  overcome  by  the  re- 
collections of  his  youth ;  and  the 
manner  in  which  ho  spoke  of  the 
papistical  cruelties  was  as  the  pouring 
of  the  energy  of  a  new  life  into  the 
very  soul,  instigating  thoughts  and 
resolutions  of  an  implacable  enmity 
against  those  ruthless  adversaries  to 
the  hopes  and  redemption  of  the 
world,  insomuch  that,  while  yet  a 
child,  I  was  often  worked  upon  by 
what  he  said,  and  felt  my  young  heart 
so  kindled  with  the  live  coals  of  his 
godly  enthusiasm,  that  he  himself  has 
stopped  in  the  eloquence  of  his  dis- 
coursCi  wondering  at  my  fervour. 
Then  ho  would  lay  his  hand  upon  my 
head,  and  say,  the  Lord  had  not 
gifted  me  with  such  zeal  without  hav- 
ing a  task  in  store  for  my  riper  years. 
His  vfordi  of  prophecy,  as  shall  here- 
after appear,  have  greatly  and  wonder- 
fully come  to  pass.  But  it  is  meet 
that  for  a  season  I  should  rehearse 
what  ensued  to  him,  for  his  story  ja 
full  of  solemnities  and  strange  acci- 
dents. 

Having  rested  some  time  on  the 
sea-shore,  he  rose  and  walked  along 
the  toilsome  shingle,  scarcely  noting 
which  way  ho  went, — his  thoughts 
being  busy  with  the  martyrdom  he 
had  witnessed,  flushing  one  moment 
with  a  glorious  indignation,  and  faint- 
ing the  next  with  despondent  reflec- 
tions on  his  own  friendless  state.  For 
he  looked  upon  himself  as  adrift  on 
the  tidi'S  of  the  world,  believing  that 
his  patron,  the  Earl  of  Glencairn, 
would  to  a  surety  condemn  his  lack  of 
fortitude  in  not  enduring  the  servi- 
tude of  the  Archbishop,  after  having 
been  in  so  miraculous  a  mauuer  ac- 


cepted into  it,  even  as  if  Providence 
had  made  him  a  special  instrument 
to  achieve  the  discoveries  which  the 
Lords  of  the  Congregation  had  then 
so  much  at  heart.  And  while  he  was 
walking  along  in  this  fluctuating  mood, 
he  came  suddenly  upon  a  man  who  was 
sitting,  as  he  had  so  shortly  before 
been  himself,  sad  and  solitary,  gazing 
on  the  sea.  The  stranger,  on'Iiear- 
ing  him  approach,  rose  hastily,  and 
was  moving  quickly  away;  but  my 
grandfather  called  to  him  to  stop  and 
not  to  be  afraid,  for  he  would  harm 
no  one. 

"  I  thought,"  said  the  melancholy 
man,  "  that  all  his  Grace's  retainers 
were  at  the  execution  of  the  heretic." 

There  was  something  in  the  way  in 
which  he  uttered  the  latter  clause  of 
the  sell  tence  that  seemed  to  my  grand- 
father as  if  he  would  have  made  use 
of  better  and  fitter  words,  and  there- 
fore, to  encourage  him  into  confidence, 
ho  replied  — 

"  I  belong  not  to  his  Grace." 

"  How  is  it  then  that  you  wear  his 
livery,  and  that  I  saw  you  with  Sir 
David  Hamilton  enter  the  garden  of 
that  misguided  woman  ?  " 

He  could  proceed  no  farther,  for 
his  heart  swelled,  and  his  utterance 
was  for  a  while  stifled,  he  being  no 
other  than  the  misfortunate  Bailie  of 
Crail,  whose  wife  it  was  that  my 
grandfather  had  seen  as  before  nar- 
rated. She  had  been  beguiled  awa^ 
from  him  and  her  five  babies,  their 
children,  by  the  temptations  of  a 
Dominican,  who  by  habit  and  repute, 
was  pandarus  to  his  Grace,  and  the 
poor  man  had  come  to  try  if  it  was 
possible  to  wile  her  back. 

My  grandfather  was  melted  with 
sorrow  to  see  his  great  affection  for  the 
unworthy  woman,  calling  to  mind  the 
scene  which  ho  had  previously  wit- 
nessed— and  he  reasoned  with  him  on 
the  great  folly  of  vexing  bis  spirit 
for  a  person  so  far  lost  to  all  sham  e 


90 


RINCrAN  GTLHAIZR. 


nnd  given  over  to  iniquity.  But  still 
the  good  man  of  Cniil  avouIcI  not  bo 
persuaded,  but  used  many  earnest 
entreaties  that  my  grandfather  would 
assist  him  to  sec  his  wife,  in  order  tliat 
he  might  remonstrate  with  her  on  the 
eternal  perils  in  which  she  had  placed 
her  precious  soul. 

My  grandfather,  though  much 
moved  by  the  importunity  of  that 
weak  honest  man,  nevertheless  with- 
stood his  entreaties,  telling  him  that 
he  was  minded  to  depart  forthwith 
from  St  Andrews,  and  make  the  best 
of  his  way  back  to  Edinburgh,  and  so 
could  embark  in  no  scheme  whatever. 

Discoursing  on  that  subject  in  this 
manner,  they  strayed  into  the  fielus, 
and  being  wrapt  up  in  their  conver- 
sation, they  heeded  not  which  way 
they  went,  till  turning  suddenly  round 
the  corner  of  an  orchard,  they  saw 
the  castle  full  before  them,  about  half 
a  mile  off,  and  a  dim  white  vapour 
mounting  at  times  from  the  spot,  still 
surrounded  by  many  spectators,  where 
the  fires  of  martyrdom  had  burnt  so 
fiercely.  Shuddering  and  filled  with 
dread,  my  grandfather  turned  away, 
and  seeing  several  countrymen  passing 
he  enquired  if  all  was  over. 

"  Yes,"  said  they,  '*  and  the 
soldiers  are  slockening  the  ashes  ;  but 
a'  the  waters  of  the  ocean -sea  will 
never  quench  in  Scotland  the  flame 
that  was  kindled  yonder  this  day." 

The  which  words  they  said  with  a 
proud  look,  thinking  my  grandfather 
by  his  arms  and  gabardine,  belonged 
to  the  Archbishop's  household, — ^but 
the  words  were  as  manna  to  his 
religious  soul,  and  he  gave  inward 
praise  and  thanks  that  the  self -same 
tragical  means  which  had  been  devised 
to  terrify  the  Reformers,  was  thus, 
through  the  mysterious  wisdom  of 
Providence,  made  more  emboldening 
than  courageous  wine  to  fortify  their 
hearts  for  the  great  work  that  was 
before  them. 


Nothing,  however,  farther  passed  ; 
but,  clianging  the  course  of  their 
walk,  niy  grandfather  and  the  sorrow- 
ful Master  Kilspinnie,  for  so  the 
poor  man  of  Crail  was  called,  went 
back,  and  entering  the  bow  at  the 
Shoegate,  passed  on  towards  a  vint- 
ner's that  dwelt  opposite  to  the  con- 
vent of  the  Blackfriars ;  for  the  day 
was  by  this  time  far  advanced,  and 
they  both  felt  themselves  in  nee'  of 
some  refreshment. 

While  they  were  sitting  together 
in  the  vintner's  apartment,  a  stiipling 
came  several  times  into  the  room,  and 
looked  hard  at  my  grandfather,  and 
then  went  away  without  speaking. 
This  was  divers  times  repeated,  and  ut 
List  it  was  so  remarkable,  that  even 
Master  Kilspinnie  took  notice  of  him, 
observing  that  he  seemed  as  if  he 
had  something  very  particular  to 
communicate  if  an  opportunity  served, 
offering  at  the  same  time  to  withdraw, 
to  leave  the  room  clear  for  the  youth 
to  tell  his  errand. 

My  grandfather's  curiosity  was,  by 
this  strange  and  new  adventure  to 
him,  so  awakened,  that  he  thought 
what  his  companion  proposed  a  dis- 
creet thing;  so  the  honest  bailie 
of  Crail  withdrew  himself,  and  going 
into  the  street,  left  my  grandfather 
alone. 

No  sooner  waa  he  gone  out  of  the 
house  than  the  stripling,  who  liad 
been  sorning  about  the  door,  again 
came  in,  and  coming  close  up  to  my 
grandfather's  ear,  said  with  a  sig- 
nificance not  to  be  misconstrued,  that 
if  he  would  follow  him  he  would  tiike 
him  to  free  quarters,  wiiere  he  would 
be  more  kindly  entertained. 

My  grandfather,  though  naturally 
of  a  quiet  temperament,  wjis  neverthe- 
less a  bold  and  brave  youth,  and  there 
was  something  in  the  mystery  of  this 
message,  for  such  he  rightly  deemed 
it,  that  made  him  fain  to  see  the  end 
thereof.    So  ho  called  in  the  vintner's 


HINGAN  GILHATZE. 


21 


wife  and  jiaid  her  the  lawin',  telling 
her  to  say  to  the  friend  who  had 
been  witli  him,  when  he  cnnic  back, 
that  he  would  soon  return. 

The  vintner's  wife  was  a  buxom  and 
jolly  dame,  and  before  takinp  up  the 
money,  she  pave  a  pawkie  look  at  the 
stripling,  and  as  my  grandfather  and 
lie  were  going  out  at  the  door,  she 
hit  the  gilly  a  bilf  on  the  back,  Scaying 
it  was  a  ne'er-do-weel  trade  he  hafl 
ta'en  up,  and  that  he  was  na  blate  to 
wile  awa'  her  customers, — crying  after 
him,  "  I  redde  ye  warn  your  madam, 
that  gin  she  sends  you  here  again, 
I'll  may  be  let  his  (Jrace  ken  that  she 
needs  to  be  lookit  after."  However, 
the  graceless  gilly  but  laughed  at  the 
vintner's  wife,  winked  as  he  patted  the 
side  of  his  nose  with  his  fore-finger, 
which  testified  that  he  held  her  vows 
of  vengeance  in  very  little  reverence ; 
and  then  he  went  on,  my  grandfather 
following. 

They  walked  up  the  street  till  they 
came  to  the  priory  yett,  when,  turning 
down  a  wynd  to  the  left,  he  led  my 
grandfather  along  between  two  dykes, 
till  they  were  come  to  a  house  that 
stood  by  itself  within  a  fair  garden. 
But  instead  of  going  to  the  door  in 
an  honest  manner,  he  bade  him  stop, 
and  going  forward  he  whistled  shrilly, 
and  then  flung  three  stones  against  a 
butt,  that  was  standing  at  the  corner 
of  the  house  on  a  gauntress  to  kep 
rain  water  from  the  spouting  image  of 
a  stone  puddock  that  vomited  what 
was  gathered  from  the  roof  in  the 
roues,  —  and  soon  after  an  upper 
casement  was  opened,  and  a  damsel 
looked  forth ;  she,  however,  said 
nothing  to  the  stripling,  but  she  made 
certain  figns  which  he  understood, 
and  then  she  drew  in  her  head,  shut- 
ting the  casement  softly,  and  he  came 
back  to  my  grandfather,  to  whom  he 
said  it  was  not  commodious  at  that 
time  for  him  to  be  received  into  the 
house,  but  if  he  would  como  back  iu 


the  evening,  at  eight  o'clock,  all  things 
would  be  ready  for  his  reception. 

To  this  suggestion  my  grandfatheJ 
made  no  scruple  to  assent,  but  pro- 
mised to  be  tiiere  ;  and  ho  bargained 
with  the  lad  to  come  for  him,  giving 
him  at  the  same  time  three  placks  for 
a  largess.  He  then  returned  to  tho 
vintner's,  where  he  found  the  Crail 
man  sitting  waiting  for  him  ; — and  tho 
vintner's  wife,  when  she  saw  him  so 
soon  back,  jeered  him,  and  would  fain 
have  been  jocular,  which  he  often 
after  thought  as  most  unbeconn'ng, 
considering  the  dreadful  martyrdom 
of  a  godly  man  that  had  been  dono 
that  day  in  the  town  ;  but  at  the  timo 
he  was  not  eo  over  strait-laced  as  to 
take  offence  at  what  she  said  ;  indeed, 
as  he  used  to  say,  sins  were  not  so 
heinous  in  those  papistical  days  as 
tliev  afterwards  became,  when  men 
lost  faith  in  penance,  and  found  out 
the  perils  of  purchased  pardoiis. 


CHAPTER   III. 

My  grandfather  liaving,  as  I  havo 
told,  a  compassion  for  the  silly  affec- 
tion wherewith  the  honest  man  of 
Crail  still  regarded  his  faithless  wife, 
told  him  the  circumstantials  of  his 
adventure  with  the  stripling;  with- 
out, however,  letting  wot  he  had 
discovered  that  the  invitation  was 
from  her ;  the  which  was  the  case,  for 
the  damsel  who  looked  out  at  tho 
window  was  no  other  than  the  person 
he  had  seen  in  her  lodging  when  he 
went  thither  with  Sir  l)avid  Hamil- 
ton,— and  he  proposed  to  the  discon- 
solate husband  that  he  should  be  his 
frienof  in  the  adventure ;  meaning 
thereby  to  convince  the  unhappy  man, 
by  the  evidence  of  his  o-^'n  eyes  and 
ears,  that  her  relationship  with  the 
Antichrist  was  a  blessed  riddance  to 
him  and  his  family. 

At  first  Master  lulspinuie  had  no 


22 


HINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


zest  for  any  such  frolic,  for  so  it 
Bccmed  to  liiin,  and  he  began  to  think 
my  grandfatlier's  horror  at  tlio  mar- 
tyrdom of  tlio  aged  saint  but  a  long 
faced  liyiiocrisy;  nevertlielcss  ho  was 
wrought  upon  to  conseiiL;  and  they 
sat  plotting  and  contriving  in  wliat 
manner  they  should  act  their  several 
parts,  my  grandfatlier  pretending 
great  fear  and  apprehension  at  the 
thoughts  of  himself,  a  stranger,  going 
alone  into  a  neighbourhood  where 
there  were  sic  strange  forerunners 
and  signs  of  danger.  At  last  he  pro- 
posed that  they  should  go  together 
and  spy  about  the  precincts  of  the 
place,  and  try  to  discover  if  there  was 
no  other  entrance  or  outgate  to  the 
house  than  the  way  by  which  the 
stripling  conducted  him,  though  well 
he  remembered  the  sallyj-ort,  where 
the  fat  friar  kept  watch,  eating  the 
pasty. 

Accordingly  they  went  forth  from 
the  vintner's,  and  my  grandfatlier,  as 
if  he  knew  not  the  way,  led  his  compan- 
ion round  between  the  priory  and  the 
sea,  till  they  came  near  the  aforesaid 
sallyport,  when,  mounting  upon  a 
stone,  ho  affected  to  discover  that  the 
house  of  the  madam  stood  in  the  gar- 
den within  and  that  the  sallyport  could 
be  no  less  than  a  back  yet*;  thereto. 

While  they  were  speaking  concern- 
ing the  same,  my  grandfather  observed 
the  wicket  open  in  the  gate,  and  guess- 
ing therefrom  that  it  was  one  spying  to 
forewarn  somebody  within  who  wanted 
tocomeoutunremarked,  he  made  a  sign 
to  his  companion,  ar,a  they  both  threw 
themselves  flat  on  the  ground,  and 
birsled  down  the  rocks  to  conceal 
themselves.  Presently  the  gate  was 
opened,  and  then  out  came  the  fat 
friar,  and  looked  east  and  west,  hold- 
ing the  door  in  his  hand  ;  and  anon 
out  came  his  Grace  the  Antichrist, 
hirpling  with  his  staff  in  his  hand,  tot 
he  was  lame  with  that  monkish  malady 
called  the  gout.    ITie  friar  then  drew 


c: 


tiio  yett  to,  and  walked  on  towards 
the  castle,  with  his  (Jraco  I'mning  on 
hid  arm.  In  the  meantime  tne  ])oor 
man  of  Crail  was  grinding  the  teeth 
of  liis  rage  at  the  sigiit  of  tiie  cause  of 
liis  sorrow,  and  my  grandfather  iiad 
a  sore  struggle  to  keep  him  down, 
and  prevent  him  from  running  wud 
and  furious  at  the  two  sacerdotal 
reprobates,  for  no  lightlier  could  they 
'bo  called. 

Thus,  without  any  disclosure  on 
my  grandfather's  part,  did  Master 
Kilspinnio  come  to  jealouse  that  the 
person  who  had  trysted  him  was  no 
other  than  his  own  faithleee  wife,  and 
ho  smote  his  forehead  and  wept 
bitterly,  to  think  how  she  was  become 
so  dreadless  in  sin.  But  he  vowed  to 
ut  her  to  shame ;  so  it  was  covenanted 
etwecn  them,  that  in  the  dusk  of  the 
evening  the  afflic'.ed  husband  slunild 
post  himself  near  to  whore  they  t.ien 
stood,  and  that  when  my  grandfather 
was  admitted  by  the  other  entrance  to 
the  house,  ho  sliould  devise  some 
reason  for  walking  forth  into  the 
garden,  and  while  there  admit  Master 
Kilspinnie. 

Accordingly,  betimes  my  grand- 
father was  ready,  and  the  stripling,  as 
had  been  bargained,  came  for  him  to 
the  vintner's,  and  conducted  him  to 
the  house,  vrhere,  after  giving  the  sig- 
nals before  enumerated,  the  damsel 
came  to  the  door  and  gave  him  admit- 
tance, leading  him  straight  to  the  inner 
chamber  before  described,  where  her 
mistress  was  sitting  on  an  elegant 
couch,  with  the  table  spread  for  a 
banquet. 

She  received  my  grandfather  with 
many  fond  protestations,  and  filled 
him  a  cup  of  hot  malvesie,  while  her 
handmaid  brought  in  divers  savoury 
dishes ;  but  he,  though  a  valiant  young 
man,  was  not  at  his  ease,  and  ho 
thought  of  the  poor  husband  and  the 
five  babies  that  she  had  forsaken 
for  the  company  of  the  papist  high- 


PJNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


owards 

w^  oil 

10  poor 

teeth 

auso  of 
lor  liiul 

down, 
tip  wiul 

erdotal 
lid  they 


priorft,  iiinl  it  was  u  saerrd  s])ell  and  n 
rcstraiiiiiif,' f,Miici!.  Still  he  partook  n 
little  of  the  rich  repast  whieh  iiad  been 
j)r(  piiied,  and  foi^'ucd  po  lonp  a  falwe 
jiliiiHancc,  that  ho  almost  beeauio 
jiItaHeil  in  reality.  'I'lie  danio,  how- 
over,  was  iier.sclf  at  times  fearful,  and 
seemeil  to  listen  if  there  was  any 
knockinf,'  at  tiie  door,  telllnj?  my 
grandlather  that  his  (Jraco  was  to  bo 
back  after  ho  had  supped  at  tiie 
castle.  "I  thon^dit,"  said  she,  "to  have 
had  yon  here  wiien  ho  was  at  the  burn- 
ing,' of  the,  iierotic,  but  my  pilly  could 
not  find  you  amonp  Iho  troopers  till  it 
was  owro  lato ;  for  when  he  broufj;ht 
you  my  Lord  had  como  to  rest  him- 
self after  the  execution.  Ihit  I  was  so 
nettled  to  bo  so  baulked,  that  I  acted 
my.self  into  an  anger  till  I  got  him 
away,  not  however  without  a  threat 
of  being  troubled  with  iiim  again." 

Scarcely  had  ^ladam  said  this,  when 
my  grandfather  started  up  and  feigned 
to  bo  in  great  terror,  begging  her  to 
let  him  hide  himself  in  the  garden  till 
his  (Jraco  was  come  and  gone.  To  this, 
with  all  her  blandishments,  thehaiiless 
woman  mad(!  many  obstacles  ;  but  he 
was  fortified  of  the  Lord  with  the 
thoughts  of  lu.r  injured  children,  and 
would  not  be  defeated,  but  insisted 
on  scogging  himself  in  the  garden  till 
the  Archbishop  was  sent  away,  the 
hour  of  his  coming  being  then  near  at 
hand.  Seeing  him  thus  peremptory, 
]\Iadam  Kilspinuio  was  obligated  to 
conform  ;  so  he  was  permitted  to  go 
into  the  garden,  and  no  sooner  was  he 
there  than  he  wont  to  the  sallyport 
and  admitted  her  husband  ; — and  well 
it  was  that  ho  had  been  so  steadfast 
in  his  purpose  ;  for  scarcely  were  they 
moved  from  tlie  yett  into  a  honey- 
suckle bower  hard  by,  when  they  heard 
it  again  ofien,  and  in  cnme  his  Grace 
with  his  corpulent  attendant,  who  took 
his  scat  on  the  bench  before  spoken 
of,  to  watch,  while  bis  master  went 
into  the  house. 


Tho  good  Hnilie  of  Crail  breatlied 
thickly,  and  ho  took  my  grandfather 
by  tho  hand,  M.s  whole  frame  trein^ 
bling  with  a  jjassion  of  grief  and  rage. 
In  tho  laj(.so  of  some  four  or  live 
minutes,  the  young  damsel  came  out 
of  the  house,  and  by  tho  glimpse  of  n 
light  from  a  window  as  she  passed, 
they  saw  she  had  a  tankard  of  smoking 
drink  in  her  hand,  with  which  sho 
went  to  tho  friar;  and  my  grand- 
father and  his  companion  taking  ad- 
vantage of  this,  slipped  out  of  their 
hiding-place  and  stole  softly  into  tho 
house,  and  reached  tho  outer  chamber 
that  was  parted  from  ^ladam's  ban- 
quet bower  by  the  arras  partition. 
There  they  stopped  to  listen,  and 
heard  her  complaining  in  a  most 
dolorous  manner  of  great  heart-sick- 
ness, ever  and  anon  begging  the  de- 
luded ])rehitc  Hamilton  to  taste  tho 
feast  she  had  prepared  for  him,  in  tho 
hope  of  being  able  to  share  it  with 
hinj.  To  which  his  Grace  as  often 
i-eplied,  with  great  condolence  and 
sympathy,  how  very  grieved  ho  was 
to  find  her  in  that  sad  and  sore  estate, 
with  many  other  fond  cajoleries,  most 
painful  to  my  grandfather  to  hear 
from  a  man  so  far  advanced  in  years, 
and  who,  by  reason  of  the  reverence 
of  his  oUico,  ought  to  have  had  his 
tongue  schooled  to  terms  of  piety  and 
temperance. 

'I'hc  poor  husband  meanwhile  said 
nothing,  but  my  grandfather  heard 
his  heart  panting  audibly,  and  three 
or  four  times  he  was  oi)ligated  to 
brush  away  his  hand,  for  having  no 
arms  himself,  the  IJailie  clutched  at 
the  hilt  of  his  sword,  and  would  have 
drawn  it  from  the  scabbard. 

The  Antichrist  seeing  his  friend 
in  such  groat  malady  as  she  so  well 
feigued,  he  at  last,  to  her  very  earnest 
suj)plications,  consented  to  leave  her, 
and  kissed  her  as  he  came  away  ;  Init 
her  husband  broke  in  upon  them  with 
the  rage  of  a  hungry  lion,  and  seizing 


24 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


his  Grace  by  the  cuff  of  the  neck, 
swung  him  away  with  such  vehemence, 
that  he  fell  into  the  corner  of  the 
room  like  a  sack  of  duds.  As  for 
JNIadam,  she  uttered  a  wild  cry,  and 
threw  herself  back  on  the  couch  where 
she  was  sitting,  and  seemed  as  if  she 
liad  swooned,  having  no  other  device 
ready  to  avoid  the  iipbraidings  and 
just  reproaches  of  her  spouse.  But  she 
was  soon  roused  from  that  fraudulent 
dwam  by  my  grandfatiier,  who,  seizing 
a  flagon  of  wine,  dashed  it  upon  her 
face. 

Mrs  Kilspinnie  uttered  a  frightful 
screech,  and,  starting  up,  attempted 
to  run  out  of  the  room,  but  her  hus- 
band caught  her  by  the  arm,  and  my 
grandfather  was  empowered,  by  a 
signal  grant  of  great  presence  of  mind 
to  think  that  the  noise  might  cause 
alarm,  whereupon  lie  sprung  instanter 
to  the  door  that  led  into  the  garden, 
just  as  the  damsel  was  coming  uji, 
and  the  fr.t  friar  hobbling  as  fast  as 
he  could  behind  her, — and  he  had 
but  time  to  say  to  her,  as  it  was  with 
an  inspii'ation,  to  keep  all  quiet  in 
the  garden,  and  he  would  make  his 
escape  by  the  other  door.  81ie,  on 
hearing  this,  ran  back  to  stop  tlie 
seneschal,  and  my  grandfather  closed 
and  bolted  fast  that  back  door,  going 
forthwith  to  the  one  by  which  he  had 
been  himself  admitted,  and  which, 
having  opened  wide  to  the  wall,  he 
returned  to  the  scene  of  commotion. 

In  the  meantime,  the  prelatic 
dragon  had  hastily  risen  upon  his  legs, 
and,  red  with  a  dreadful  wrath,  raged 
as  if  he  would  have  devoured  her 
Imsband.  In  sooth,  to  do  his  Grace 
justice,  he  lacked  not  tlie  spirit  of  a 
courageous  gentleman,  and  he  could 
not,  my  grandfather  often  said,  have 
borne  himself  more  proudly  and 
valiantly  had  he  been  a  belted  knight, 
bred  in  camps  and  fields  of  war,  so 
that  a  discreet  retreat  and  evasion  of 
the  house  was  the  best  course  they 


could  take.  But  Master  Kilspinnie 
fain  would  have  continued  his  biting 
taunts  to  his  wife,  who  was  enact- 
ing a  most  tragical  extravagance  of 
affliction  and  terror ;  my  grandfather, 
however,  suddenly  cut  him  short, 
crying,  "  Come,  come,  no  more  of 
this  ;  an  alarm  is  given,  and  we  must 
save  ourselves."  With  th^c  he  seized 
him  firmly  by  the  arm,  and  in  a  man- 
ner harled  him  out  of  the  house,  and 
into  the  lane  between  the  djkes,  along 
which  they  ran  with  nimble  heels. 
On  reaching  the  Showgate  they 
slackened  their  speed,  still,  however, 
walking  as  fast  as  they  could  till 
tlicy  came  near  the  port,  when  they 
again  drew  in  the  bridle  of  their 
haste,  going  through  among  the 
guards  that  were  loitering  around  the 
door  of  the  wardroom,  and  passed 
out  into  the  fields  as  if  they  had  been 
indifferent  persons. 

On  escaping  the  gate,  they  fell  in 
with  divers  persons  going  along  the 
road,  who,  by  their  discourse,  were 
returning  home  to  Cupar,  and  they 
walked  leisurely  with  them  till  they 
came  to  a  cross-road,  where  my  grand- 
father, giving  Master  Kils2)innie  a 
nudge,  turned  down  the  one  that 
went  to  the  left,  followed  by  him,  and 
it  happened  to  be  the  road  to  Dysart 
and  Crail. 

"  This  will  ne'er  do,"  said  Master 
Kilspinnie,  "  they  will  pursue  us  this 
gait." 

Upon  hearing  this  reasonable  ap- 
prehension, my  grandfather  stopped 
and  conferred  with  himself,  and 
received  on  that  spot  a  blessed  ex- 
perience and  foretaste  of  the  jirotec- 
tion  wherewith,  to  a  great  age,  he  wag 
all  his  days  protected.  For  it  was  in 
a  manner  revealed  to  him,  that  ho 
should  throw  away  the  garbardine  and 
sword  which  he  had  received  in  the 
castle,  and  thereby  appear  in  his  .simple 
craftsman's  garb,  and  that  they  should 
turn  back  and  cross  the  Cupar  road, 


niNGAN  OILIIAIZE. 


i25 


tliey 
their 


and  yo  along  the  other,  which  led  to 
the  i)undue  waterside  ferry.  This  he 
told  to  his  fearful  companion,  and 
likewise,  that  as  often  as  they  fell  in 
with  or  heard  anybody  coming  up, 
the  bailie  should  hasten  on  before,  or 
den  himself  among  the  brackens  by  the 
road-side,  to  the  end  that  it  might 
appear  they  Avere  not  two  persons  in 
company  together. 

But  they  had  not  long  crossed  the 
Cu|)ar  road,  and  travelled  the  one 
leading  to  the  ferry,  when  they  heard 
the  whirlwind  sound  of  horsemen 
coming  after  them,  at  which  the  honest 
man  of  Crail  darted  aside,  and  lay  flat 
on  his  grouff  ayont  a  bramble  bush, 
while  my  grandfather  began  to  lilt  as 
blithely  as  he  could,  "The  Bonny 
Jiass  of  Livingston,"  and  the  spring 
was  ever  after  to  him  as  a  hymn  of 
thanksgiving  ;  but  the  Avords  he  then 
sang  was  an  auld  ranting  godless  and 
graceless  ditty  of  the  grooms  and 
serving  men  that  sorncd  about  his 
father's  smiddy, — and  the  closer  that 
tiie  horsemen  camo  he  was  strength- 
ened to  sing  the  louder  and  the 
cli.arer. 

"  Saw  ye  twa  fellows  ganging  this 
gait?"  cried  the  foremost  of  the 
pursuers,  pulling  up. 

"  What  like  were  they  ?  "  said  my 
grandfather  in  a  simple  manner. 

'•  Anc  of  them  was  o'  his  Grace's 
guard,"  replied  the  man,  "  but  the 
other,  ill  tak  me  gin  I  ken  what  l.e 
was  like,  but  he's  the  bailie  or  provost 
of  a  burrough'a  town,  and  should  by 
rights  hae  a  big  belly." 

To  this  my  grandfather  answered 
briskly,  "  Nae  sic  twa  hae  past  me  ; 
but  as  I  was  coming  along  whistling, 
thinking  o'naething,  twa  sturdy  loons, 
ane  o'  them  no  unlike  the  hempics  of 
iiie  castle,  ran  skirring  along,  and  I 
hae  a  thought  that  they  took  the  road 
to  Crail  or  Dysart." 

"  That  was  my  thought  too,"  cried 
the  horseman,  as  he  turned  his  beast, 


and  the  rest  that  were  with  him  doing 
the  same,  biddsiig  my  grandfather 
good  night,  away  they  scampered 
back ;  by  which  a  blessed  deliverancij 
was  there  wrought  to  him  and  hig 
companion,  on  that  spot,  in  that 
night. 

As  soon  as  the  horsemen  had  gone 
by.  Bailie  KiLtpinnie  came  from  his 
hiding-jlace.  and  both  he  and  my 
grandfather  proved  that  no  bird-lime 
was  on  their  feet  till  they  got  to  the 
ferry- house  at  the  water-side,  where 
they  found  two  boats  taking  pas- 
sengers on  board,  one  for  Dundee  and 
the  other  for  Penh.  Here  my  grand- 
father s  great  gift  of  foreknowledge 
was  again  proven,  for  he  proposed 
that  they  fihouM  bargain  with  the 
skipper  of  the  Dundee  boat  to  take 
them  to  that  town,  and  pay  him  like 
tlie  other  passengers  at  once,  in  an 
open  manner  :  bat  that,  as  the  night 
was  cloudy  and  dark,  they  should  go 
cannily  aboanl  the  boat  for  Perth,  as 
it  were  in  mistake,  and  feign  not  to 
discover  their  error  till  they  were  far 
up  the  river,  when  then  they  should 
proceed  to  the  town,  letting  wot,  that 
by  the  return  of  the  tide  they  would 
go  in  the  morning  by  the  Perth  boat 
to  Dundee,  with  which  Master  Kil- 
spinnie  was  well  acquainted,  he  having 
had  many  times,  in  the  way  of  his 
traffic  as  a  plaiding  merchant,  cause 
to  use  the  same,  and  thereby  knew 
it  went  twice  a-wetk.  and  that  the 
morrow  was  one  of  the  days : — all 
this  they  were  enabled  to  do  with 
such  fortitude  and  decorum,  that  no 
one  aboard  the  Perth  boat  could  have 
divined  that  they  were  not  honest 
men,  in  great  trouble  of  mind  at  dis- 
covering they  had  come  into  the 
wrong  boat 

But  nothing  showed  more  that 
Providence  had  a  band  in  all  this  than 
what  ensued,  for  all  the  passengers  in 
the  boat  had  been  at  St  Andrews  to 
hear  the  trial  and  eee  the  martyrdom, 


26 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


aud  they  were  sliarp  and  velicini'ut 
not  only  in  tlioir  condemnation  of  the 
mitred  Anticlirist,  but  yrieved  with  a 
sincere  sorrow,  that  none  of  the 
nobles  of  Scotland  would  stand  forth 
in  their  ancient  bravery,  to  resist  and 
overthrow  a  race  of  ojiprcssors  more 
grievous  than  the  Southrons  that 
trode  on  the  neck  of  their  fatiiers  in 
the  hero-stirring  times  of  the  Wallace 
wight  and  King  Robert  the  Bruce. 
Truly,  there  was  a  spirit  of  unison  and 
indignation  in  the  company  on  board 
that  boat,  every  one  thirsting  with  a 
lioly  ardour  to  avenge  the  cruelties  of 
which  the  papistical  priesthood  were 
daily  growing  more  and  more  crouse 
in  the  perpetration  ; — and  tliey  made 
the  shores  ring  with  the  olden  song 
of— 

"  O  for  my  nin  king,  quo'  guiio  Wallnco, 
Tlie  rifililfu'  Uiiic  of  fair  Scotlan'; — 
lietween  me  niul  my  sovcroifrn  dcnr 
I  tiiiiik  1  see  some  ill  secil  s:nvii  " 

It  was  the  grey  of  the  morning 
before  they  reached  Perth ;  and  as 
Boon  as  they  were  put  on  the  land, 
the  bailie  took  my  grandfather  with 
him  to  the  house  of  one  Sawiiers 
lluthven,  a  blaidtet-weavcr,  with 
whom  he  had  dealings,  a  staid  and 
discreet  man,  who,  when  he  had  sup- 
plied them  with  breakfast,  exhorted 
them  not  to  tarry  in  the  town,  tlien 
a  place  that  had  fallen  under  the 
suspicion  of  the  clergy,  the  lordly 
monks  of  Scoonc  taking  great  power 
and  authority,  in  desi)ite  of  the  magis- 
trates, against  all  that  fell  under  their 
evil  tliought.s  ancnt  heresy.  And  ho 
counselled  them  not  to  proceed,  as 
my  grandfather  had  proposed,  straight 
on  to  Edinliiu'gh  by  the  Queensferry, 
but  to  hasten  up  the  country  to  Crieff, 
and  thence  take  the  road  to  Stirling. 
In  this  there  was  much  prudence  ;  but 
Hiiilie  Kiispinnie  was  in  sore  tribula- 
tion on  account  of  his  children,  whom 
he  had  left  at  his  home  in  ( 'rail,  fear- 
ing that  the  talons  of  Antichrist  would 
lay  hold  of  them,  and  keep  them  aa 


hostages  till  he  was  given  up  to  suffer 
for  what  he  had  done,  none  doubting 
that  Baal,  for  so  he  ni<'knained  the 
prelatic  Hamilton,  Avould  impute  lo 
him  the  mipardonable  sin  of  heresy 
and  schism,  and  leave  no  stone  un- 
turned to  bring  him  to  the  stake. 

But  Sawuers  Ruthven  CDinforted 
him  Avith  the  assurance  that  his  Grace 
would  not  venture  to  act  in  that 
manner,  for  it  was  known  that  jMrs 
Kiispinnie  then  lived  at  St  Andrews 
near  his  castle.  Nevertheless,  the 
poor  man  w.as  in  sore  aflliction  ;  and, 
as  lie  and  my  grandfather  travelled 
towards  Crieff,  many  a  bitter  prayer 
did  his  vexed  spirit  pour  forth  in  its 
grief,  that  the  right  arm  of  the  Lord 
uiight  soon  be  manifested  against  the 
Roman  locust  that  consumed  the  land, 
and  made  its  corruption  naught  in 
the  nostrils  of  Heaven. 

Thus  was  it  manifest,  that  there 
was  nuich  of  the  ire  of  a  selfish  re- 
venge mixt  up  with  the  rage  which 
was  at  that  time  kindled  in  so  tm- 
quenchable  a  manner  against  the 
IJeast  and  its  worshippers  ;  f(ir  in  the 
history  of  the  honest  man  of  Crail 
there  was  a  great  similitude  to  other 
foul  and  worse  things  whieh  tin;  Ro- 
man idolaters  seemed  to  reirard  among 
their  pestiferous  immunities,  ancl 
counted  themselves  free  to  do  without 
dread  of  any  earthly  retribution. 

]My  grandfather  and  his  companion 
hastened  on  in  their  journey  ;  but  in- 
stead of  going  to  Stirling  they  crossed 
the  river  at  Alloa,  and  so  passed  by 
tho  water-side  way  to  Kdinburgh, 
where,  on  entering  tho  AVest  I'ort, 
they  separated.  The  bailie,  who  was 
a  fearful  man,  and  in  constant  dread 
and  terror  of  being  burned  as  a  heretic 
for  having  broke  in  upon  tho  aeelnsiou 
of  his  unhappy  wifa  and  the  carnal- 
minded  jirimate  of  St  Andrews,  Ment 
to  a  cousin  of  his  own,  a  dealer  in 
serge  aud  temming  in  the  Lawn- 
market,    with    whom    he    concealed 


UINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


27 


himself  for  some  weeks ;  but  my 
grandfather  proceeded  straiglit  to- 
wards the  lodging  of  tlie  Enrl  of 
Gleucairn,  to  recount  to  his  lordship 
the  whole  passages  of  what  he  had 
been  concerned  in,  from  the  night 
that  he  departed  from  his  presence. 

It  was  by  this  time  the  mirkest  of 
the  gloaming,  for  they  had  purposely 
tarried   on  their  journey    tiiat    they 
might  enter  Edinburgh  at  dusk.     Tlie 
shops  of  the  traders  were  shut,  for  in 
those  days  there  was  such  a  resort  of 
soruers  aad  lawless  men  among  the 
trains  of  the  nobles  and  gentry,  that  it 
was  not  safe  for  honest  merchants  to 
keep  their  shops  open  after  nightfall. 
Nevertheless    the    streets    were    not 
darkened,  for  there  were  then  many 
begging-boxes,    with  images   of  the 
saints,  and  cruisies  burning  afore  them, 
in  divers  parts  of  the  High-street  and 
corners  of  the  wynds,  insomuch  that 
it  was  easy,  as  I  have  heard  my  grand- 
father tell,  to  see  and  know  any  one 
passing  in  the  light  thereof.     And  in- 
deed what  befell  himself  was  proof  of 
it ;  for  as  he  was  coming  tlirough  St 
Giles'  kirk-yard,   which  is   now   the 
rarliamentclose,  and  through  which  at 
that  time  there  was  a  style  and  path 
for  pn-^sengers,  a  young  man,  whom  he 
had   observed   following   him,    came 
close  up  just  as  he  reached  a  begging 
image  of  tlie   Virgin  IMary  with  its 
lamp,  that  stood  on  a  pillar  at  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  cathedral,  and 
touching  him  on  the  left  shoulder  at 
that  spot,  made  hin!i"ck  ror.:^cl '"  such 
a  manner  tliat  the  light  of  the  Virgin's 
lamp  fell  full  on  liis  face. 

"  Dinna  bo  frighted,"  said  the 
stranger,  "  I  ken  you,  and  I'm  in  Lord 
(Jloncairn's  service ;  but  follow  me 
and  way  notliing." 

i\Iy  grandfather  wps  not  a  little 
startledby  this  salutation  ;  he  however 
made  no  observe  but  replied,  *'  Goon 
then." 

So  the  stranger  went  forward,  and 


after  various  turnings  and  windings, 
led  him  down  into  the  Cowgate,  v.nd 
up  a  close  on  tlie  south  side  thereof, 
and  then  to  a  dark  timber  stair,  that 
was  i-o  frail  and  creaking,  and  narrow, 
that  his  guide  bade  him  haul  himself 
up  with  the  help  of  a  rope  that  hung 
down  dangling  for  that  purpose. 

AVlien  they  had  raised  themselves 
to  the  stair-head,  the  stranger  opened 
a  door,  and  they  went  together  into  a 
small  and  lonesome  chamber,  in  the 
chimla-nook  of  which  an  old  iron 
cruisie  was  burning  with  a  winkingand 
wizard  light. 

"  I  hae  brought  you  here,"  said 
his  conductor,  "  for  secrecy  ;  for  my 
Lord  disna  want  that  ye  should  be  seen 
about  his  lodging.  I'm  ane  of  three 
that  hae  been  lang  seeking  you  ;  and, 
as  a  token  that  ye're  no  deceived,  I 
was  bade  to  tell  you,  that  before  part- 
ing from  my  Lord  he  gi'ed  you  two 
pieces  of  gold  out  of  his  coder  in  the 
chamber  where  he  supped." 

Jly  grandfather  thought  this  very 
like  a  proof  that  he  had  been  so  in- 
formed by  the  Earl  himself ;  but, 
hap])ening  to  remark  that  he  sat  with 
his  back  to  tlie  light,  and  kept  his  face 
hidden  in  the  sliadow  of  the  darkness, 
Providence  put  it  into  his  head  to 
jealouse  that  he  mi<.dit  nevertheless  be 
a  spy,  one  perhaps  that  had  been  trus- 
ted in  like  manner  as  he  had  himself 
been  trusted,  and  who  had  afterwards 
sold  himself  to  the  perdition  of  the  ad- 
versaries' cause  ;  he  was  accordingly  on 
his  guard ;  but  replied  witii  seeming 
frankness,  tliat  it  was  very  true  he  had 
received  two  pieces  of  gold  from  the 
Earl  at  his  departure. 

"  Tlien,"  said  tiie  young  man,  "  by 
that  token  ye  may  know  that  I  am  in 
the  private  service  of  tiie  Earl,  wiio, 
for  reasons  best  known  to  himsel',  liath 
willed  tliat  you  should  tell  me,  that  I 
may  report  tlie  same  secretly  to  him, 
what  es^onage  you  have  made." 
My  grandfather  was  perplexed  by 


28 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


this  speech,  but  distrust  having  crept 
into  his  thoughts,  instead  of  replying 
with  a  full  recital  of  all  his  adventures 
he  briefly  said,  that  he  had  indeed 
effected  nothing,  for  his  soul  was 
sickened  by  the  woeful  martyrdom 
of  the  godly  Master  Mill  to  so  great  a 
disease  that  he  could  not  endure  to 
abide  in  St  Andrews,  and  therefore  he 
had  come  back. 

"  But  you  liave  been  long  on  the 
way — how  is  that? — it  is  now  many 
days  since  the  burning,"  replied  the 
stranger. 

''  You  say  truly,"  was  my  grand- 
father's answer,  "  for  I  came  round  by 
Perth ;  but  I  tarrie<l  at  no  place 
longer  tlian  was  needful  to  repair  and 
refresh  nature." 

"  Perth  was  a  wide  bout  gait  to 
take  frae  St  Andrews  to  come  to 
Edinburgh ;  I  marvel  how  you  went 
KO  fir  OrStray,"  said  the  young  man 
curiously. 

"In  sooth  it  was;  bat  being 
sorely  demented  with  the  tragical  end 
of  the  godly  old  man,"  replied  my 
grandfatlier,  "and  seeing  that  I  could 
do  tlie  Earl  no  manner  of  service,  I 
wist  not  well  what  course  to  take  ;  so 
after  meickle  tribulation  of  thought, 
and  great  uncertainty  of  purpose,  I 
e'en  resolved  to  come  hither." 

Little  more  passed:  the  young 
man  rose  and  said  to  my  grandfather, 
he  feared  tlie  Earl  would  be  so  little 
content  with  him,  tiiat  he  had  bettei 
not  go  near  him,  but  seek  some  other 
master.  And  when  they  had  de- 
scended tlie  stair,  and  were  come  into 
the  street,  lie  advised  him  to  go  to 
the  house  of  a  certain  Widow  Rijipet, 
that  let  dry  lodgings  in  the  (irass- 
]M  ;trk(.>t,  and  roost  there  for  that  night, 
'riu'  which  my  grandfather  in  a  man- 
ner signllic  J  he  would  do,  and  so  they 
parted. 

Tile  stranger  at  first  walked  soberly 
away ;  but  he  had  not  goiti  many 
paces  when  ho  suddenly  turned  into 


a  closs  leading  up  to  the  High  Street, 
and  my  grandfather  heard  the  patter- 
ing of  his  feet  rimning  as  swiftly  aa 
possible,  which  confirmed  to  him 
what  he  suspected  ;  and  so,  instead  of 
going  towards  the  Widow  Rippet's 
house,  ho  turned  back  and  went 
straight  on  to  St  Mary's  Wynd,  where 
the  E  u-l's  lodging  was,  and  knockinjj 
at  the  yett,  was  speedily  admitted, 
and  conducted  instanter  to  my  Lord's 
presence,  whom  he  found  alone,  read- 
ing many  papers  which  lay  on  a  table 
before  him. 


Gilh 


said  the  Earl,  "  how 


laize,  >^...^  ....^  ^..w, 
is  this  ?  why  have  you  come  back  ? 
and  wherefore  is  it  that  I  have  hoard 
no  tidings  from  you  ?  " 

Whereupon  my  grandfather  recoun- 
ted to  him  all  the  circumstantials  which  I 
have  rehearsed,  from  the  hour  of  his 
departure  from  Edinburgh  up  till  the 
very  time  when  he  tlien  stood  in  hia 
master's  presence.  The  Earl  made  no 
inroad  on  his  narrative  while  he  was 
telling  it,  but  his  countenance  often 
changed  and  he  was  much  moved  at 
different  passages — sometimes  with 
sorrow  and  sometimes  Avith  anger ; 
and  he  laughed  vehemently  at  the 
mishap  which  had  befallen  the  grand 
adversary  of  the  Congregation  and  hia 
concubine.  The  adventure,  however, 
with  the  unknown  varlet  in  the  street 
appeared  to  make  his  Lordship  very 
thoughtful,  and  no  less  than  thrice 
did  lie  question  my  grandfather,  if  he 
had  indeed  given  but  those  barren  an- 
swers which  Ihavoalready  recited;  to  all 
which  he  received  the  most  solemn  as- 
severations^ that  no  more  was  said. 
Ilis  Lordship  then  sat  some  time  cogi- 
tating, with  his  hands  resting  on  hia 
thighs,  his  brows  bent,  and  his  lips 
pursed  as  with  sharp  thoughi.  At 
last  he  said — 

"  Gilhaize,  you  have  done  better  in 
this  than  I  ought  to  have  e;cpected 
of  one  so  young  and  unpractised.  The 
favour  you  won  with  Sir  David  Ilamil- 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


ton  was  no  more  tlian  I  tlionglit  your 
looks  and  manners  would  beget,  iiut 
you  are  not  only  well-favoured  but 
well-fortuned  ;  and  had  you  not  found 
yourself  worthily  bound  to  your  duty, 
I  doubt  not  you  might  have  prospered 
in  the  Archbishop's  household.  The 
affair  with  Madam  Kilspinnie  was  a 
thing  I  reckoned  not  of;  yet  therein 
you  have  proved  yourself  not  only  a 
very  Joseph,  but  so  ripe  in  wit  be- 
yond your  years,  that  your  merits  de- 
serve more  commendation  than  I  can 
tafford  to  give,  for  1  have  not  sutlicient 
to  bestow  on  the  singular  prudence 
and  discernment  wherew'th  you  have 
parried  the  treacherous  thrusts  of  that 
Judas  Iscariot,  Winterton,  for  so  I 
doubt  not  is  the  traitor  who  waylaid 
you.  He  was  once  in  my  service,  and 
is  now  in  the  Queen  Regent's.  In 
sending  off  my  men  on  errands  simi- 
lar to  yours,  I  was  wont  to  give  them 
two  pieces  of  gold,  and  this  the  false 
loon  has  gathered  to  be  a  custom, 
from  others  as  well  as  by  his  own 
knowledge,  and  he  has  made  it  the 
key  to  open  the  breasts  of  my  servants. 
To  know  this,  however,  is  a  great  dis- 
covery. But,  Gilhaiz.e,  not  to  waste 
words,  you  have  your  master's  confi- 
dence. Go  therefore,  I  pray  yon,  with 
all  speed  to  the  Widow  Itippet's,  and 
do  as  Winterton  bade  you,  and  ns 
chance  may  require.  In  the  morning 
come  again  hither ;  for  I  have  this 
night  many  weighty  affairs,  and  you 
have  shown  yourself  possessed  of  a 
discerning  spirit,  that  may,  in  these 
times  of  peril  and  perjury,  help  the 
great  cause  of  all  good  Scotchmen." 

In  saying  these  most  acceptable 
words,  he  clapped  my  grandfather  on 
the  shoulder,  and  encouraged  him  to 
be  as  true-hearted  as  he  was  sharp- 
witted,  and  he  could  not  fail  to  ear*^ 
both  treasure  and  trusts.  So  my 
grandfather  left  him,  and  went  to  the 
Widow  llippet's  in  the  Grassmarket ; 
and  around  licr  kitchen  firo  he  found 


some  four  or  five  discarded  knaves  that 
wore  bargaining  with  her  for  beds,  or 
for  leave  to  sleep  by  the  hearth.  And 
he  had  not  been  long  seated  among 
them  when  his  heart  was  grieved  with 
pain  to  see  Winterton  come  in,  and 
behind  him  the  two  simple  lads  of 
Lithgow  that  had  left  their  homes 
with  him,  whom,  it  appeared,  the 
varlet  had  seduced  from  the  Earl  of 
Glencairn's  service,  and  inveigled  into 
the  Earl  of  Seaton's,  a  rampant  papist, 
by  the  same  wiles  wherewith  ho 
thought  he  had  likewise  made  a  con- 
quest of  my  grandfather,  whom  they 
had  ;dl  come  together  to  see  ;  for  the 
two  Lithgow  lads,  like  reynard  the  fox 
when  he  had  lost  his  tail,  were  eager 
that  he  too  should  make  himself  like 
them.  He  feigned,  however,  great 
weariness,  and  indeed  his  heart  was 
heavy  to  see  such  skill  of  wickedness 
in  so  young  a  man  as  ho.  saw  in 
Winterton.  So,  after  partaking  with 
them  of  some  spiced  ale,  wliicli  Win- 
terton brought  from  the  Salutation 
tavern  opposite  the  gallows-stone,  he 
declared  himself  overcome  with  sleep, 
and  i^er  force  thereof  obligated  to  go 
to  bed.  But  when  they  were  gone, 
and  he  had  retired  to  his  sorry  couch, 
no  sleep  came  to  his  eyelids,  but  only 
hot  and  salt  tears ;  lor  he  thought 
tliat  he  had  been  in  a  measure  con- 
cerned in  bringing  away  the  two 
thoughless  lads  from  their  homes,  and 
he  saw  that  they  were  not  tempered  > 
to  resist  the  temptations  of  the  world, 
but  would  soon  fall  away  from  tlieir 
religioua  integrity,  and  become  rudo 
and  godless  roisters,  like  the  wuddy 
worthies  that  paid  half  price  for  leave 
to  sleep  on  the  widow's  hearth. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

At  the  first  blink  of  the  grey  eye  of 
the  morning  niy  grandfather  rose,  and, 
quitting  the  house  of  the  Widow  Rip- 
pet,  went  straight  to  the  Earl'slodgiugs 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


and  waj  admitted.  The  porter  at  the 
door  told  liim  that  tlieir  inasttT, 
having  been  up  all  night,  had  but  just 
retirod  to  bed ;  but,  while  they  wore 
speaking,  the  Earl's  page,  who  slept 
in  the  an ti- chamber,  called  from  the 
stair-head  to  inquire  who  it  was  that 
had  come  so  early,  and  being  informed 
thereof,  he  went  into  his  master,  and 
afterwards  came  again  and  desired  my 
grandfather  to  walk  up,  and  conducted 
him  to  his  Lordship,  whom  he  found 
on  his  counii,  but  not  undressed,  and 
who  said  to  him  on  his  entering,  Avhen 
the  page  had  retired — 

"I  am  glad,  Gilhaize,  that  you 
Lave  come  thus  early,  for  I  want  a 
trusty  man  to  go  forthwith  into  the 
west  country.  What  I  wish  you  to 
do  cannot  be  written,  but  you  will 
take  this  ring ;  "  and  he  took  one  from 
the  little  linger  of  his  right  hand,  on 
the  gem  of  which  his  cipher  was 
graven,  and  gave  it  to  my  grandfather. 
"  On  showing  it  to  Lord  Boyd,  whom 
you  will  find  at  the  Dean  Castle,  near 
Kilmarnock,  lie  will  thereby  know 
that  you  are  specially  trusted  of  me. 
The  message  whereof  you  are  the 
bearer  is  to  this  effect, — That  the 
Lords  of  tiie  Congregation  have,  by 
their  friends  in  many  places,  received 
strong  exhortations  to  step  forward 
and  oppose  the  headlong  fury  of  the 
churchmen;  and  that  they  have  in  con- 
sequenco  deemed  it  necessary  to  lose 
,  no  time  in  ascertaining  wliat  the 
strength  of  the  Reformed  may  be,  and 
to  procure  declarations  for  mutual 
defence  from  all  who  are  joined  in 
professing  the  true  religion  of  Clirist. 
Sliould  ho  see  meet  to  employ  you  in 
this  matter,  you  will  obey  his  orders 
and  instructio'i.i  whatsoever  they  may 
be." 

Tiie  Earl  then  put  his  hand  a- 
neath  his  pillow  and  drew  out  a  small 
leathern  purse,  which  he  gave  to  my 
grandfather,  who,  in  the  doing  of  this, 
observed  that  he  had  Beveral  other 


similar  purses  ready  under  his  head. 
In  taking  it  my  grandfather  was  pro- 
ceeding to  tell  him  what  ho  had  ob- 
served at  the  Widow  Rippet's,  but  his 
Lordship  interrupted  him,  saying — 

"  Such  tilings  are  of  no  issue  now, 
and  your  present  duty  is  in  a  higher 
road  ;  theruforo  make  haste,  and  God 
be  with  you." 

With  these  words  his  Lordship 
turned  himself  on  his  couch,  and 
composed  himself  to  sleep  ;  which  my 
grandfather,  after  looking  on  for  about 
a  minute  or  so,  observing,  camo 
away ;  and  having  borrowed  a  frock 
and  a  trot-cozoy  for  the  journey  from 
one  of  the  grooms  of  the  hall,  he  went 
straight  to  Kenneth  Shelty's,  a  noted 
horse-setter  in  those  days,  who  lived 
at  the  West-Port,  and  bargained  with 
him  for  the  hire  of  a  beast  to  Glasgow, 
though  Glasgow  was  not  then  the 
nearest  road  to  Kilmarnock  ;  but  ho 
tliought  it  prudent  to  go  that  way  in 
case  any  of  the  j)apistical  emissaries 
should  track  his  course. 

There  was,  however,  a  little  over- 
sight in  this  which  did  not  come  to 
mind  till  he  wjis  some  miles  on  the 
road,  and  that  was  the  obligation  it 
put  him  under  of  passing  through  Lith- 
gow,  where  he  was  so  well  known,  and 
where  all  his  kith  and  kin  lived  ;  there 
being  then  no  immediate  route  from 
Edinburgh  to  Glasgow  but  by  Lithgow. 
And  he  debated  with  himself  for  a 
space  of  time  whether  he  ought  to  pro- 
ceed, or  turn  back  and  go  the  other 
way,  and  his  mind  was  sorely  troubled 
with  doubts  and  difficulties.  At  last 
he  considered,  that  it  was  never  deem- 
ed wise  or  fortunate  to  turn  back  in 
any  undertjiking,  and  besides,  having 
for  the  service  of  the  Saviour  left  his 
fatlier's  house  and  renounced  hia  pa- 
rents, like  a  bird  that  taketh  wing  and 
kuowcth  the  nest  where  it  waabred  no 
more— he  knit  up  his  ravelled  thoughts 
into  resolution,  and,  clapping  spurs  to 
his  horse,  rode  br^ively  on, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


81 


lUit  when  he  belield  the  towers  of 
I  the  palace,  and  the  steeples  of  his  na- 
tive town,  rising  before  him,  many 
remembrances  came  rushing  to  his 
heart,  and  ail  the  vexations  he  had 
'suffered  there  were  lost  in  the  sunny 
recollections  of  the  morning  of  life, 
when  every  one  was  kind,  and  the  eyes 
of  his  parents  looked  on  him  with  the 
brightness  of  delight,  in  so  much,  that 
his  soul  yearned  within  him,  and  his 
cheeks  were  wetted  with  fast-flowing 
tears.  Nevertheless,  he  overcame  this 
thaw  of  his  fortitude,.and  went  forward 
inthe  strength  of  tlio  liOrd,  determined 
to  swerve  not  in  hie  duty  to  the  Earl  of 
(ilencairn,  nor  in  his  holier  fealty  to  a 
far  greater  ]\Iaster.  But  the  softness 
that  he  felt  in  his  nature,  made  him 
gird  himself  with  a  firm  purpose  to 
ride  through  the  town  witiiout  stop- 
i:)ing.  Scarcely,  however  had  he  en- 
tered the  port,  when  his  horse  stum- 
bled and  lost  a  shoe,  by  which  he  was 
not  only  constrained  to  stop,  but  to 
take  him  to  his  father's  smiddy,  which 
was  in  sight  when  the  mischance  hap- 
pened. 

On  going  to  the  door,  he  found,  as 
was  commoiiJy  the  ease,  a  number  of 
firooms  and  flunkies  of  the  courtiers, 
witli  certain  fnars,  holding  vehement 
discourse  concerning  the  tidings  of  the 
time,  the  burden  of  which  was,  the 
burning  of  the  aged  Master  Mill,  a 
thing  that  even  tlie  monks  durst  not, 
for  the  sake  of  humanity,  venture  very 
strenuously  to  defend.  Ilis  father  was 
not  then  within  ;  but  one  of  the  pren- 
tice lads,  seeing  who  it  was  that  had 
come  witii  a  horse  to  bo  shod,  ran  to 
tell  liim  ;  and  at  tlie  sight  of  mygrand- 
fatlier,  the  friars  suspended  their  con- 
troversies witii  the  serving-men,  and 
gatliered  round  him  with  many  ques- 
tions, lie  replied,  however,  to  them 
all  with  few  words,  bidding  the  fore- 
man to  make  haste  and  shoe  his  horse, 
iioping  that  ho  miglit  thereby  be  off 
and  away  before  his  father  came, 


But,  while  the  man  was  throng  with 
the  horse's  foot,  both  father  and  mo- 
ther came  rushing  in,  and  his  motiier 
was  weeping  bitterly,  and  wringing 
her  hands,  chiding  him  as  if  he  had 
•sold  himself  to  the  Evil  One,  and  be- 
seeching him  to  stop  and  repent.  His 
father,  however,  said  little,  but  inquir- 
ed how  he  had  been,  wliat  he  was 
doing,  and  where  he  was  going  ;  and 
sent  the  prentice  lad  to  bring  a  stoup 
of  spiced  ale  from  a  public  hard  by, 
in  which  he  pledged  him,  kindly  hop- 
ing bo  would  do  well  for  himself  and 
he  would  do  well  for  his  parents.  I'ho 
which  latherliness  touched  my  grand- 
father more  to  the  quick  than  all  the 
loud  lament  and  reproaches  of  his  mo- 
ther ;  and  he  replied,  that  he  had  en- 
tered into  the  service  of  a  nobleman, 
and  was  then  riding  on  his  master's 
business  to  Glasgow  ;  but  he  mention- 
ed no  name,  nor  did  his  father  inquire. 
His  mother,  however,  burst  out  into 
clamorous  revilings.  declaring  her 
dread,  that  it  was  some  of  the  apostate 
heretics  ;  and,  giving  vent  to  her  pas- 
sion, was  as  one  in  a  frenzy,  or  pos- 
sessed of  a  devil.  The  very  friars  were 
confounded  at  her  distraction,  and 
tried  to  sooth  her  and  remove  her  forth 
the  smiddy,  Avhich  only  made  her  more 
wild,  so  tliatall  present  compnssionated 
my  grandfather,  who  sat  siltiit  and 
made  no  answer,  wearying  till  his  horse 
was  ready. 

But  greatly  afflicted  as  ho  was  by 
this  trial,  it  was  nothing  to  what 
ensued,  when,  after  having  mounted, 
and  shaken  his  father  by  tlie  hand,  he 
galloped  away  to  tlie  West-port. 
Tiiere,  on  the  outside,  lie  was  met  by 
two  women  and  an  old  man,  parents 
of  the  lads  whom  he  had  taken  with 
iiim  to  Edinburgh.  Having  heard  he 
was  at  his  father's  smiddy,  instead  of 
going  thither,  they  h  .  come  to  that 
place,  in  order  that  they  might  speak 
with  liim  more  apart,  and  free  from 
molestatioQ,  concerning  iheir  sons. 


32 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


One  of  the  women  wag  <a  poor 
widow,  anl  she  liad  no  other  child, 
nor  the  hope  of  any  other  bread- 
winner for  licr  old  age.  She,  however, 
said  nothing,  but  stood  with  the  corner 
of  her  apron  at  her  eyes,  sobbing  very. 
afflictedly,  while  her  friends,  on  seeing 
my  grandfather  come  out  oif  the  port, 
stepped  forward,  and  the  old  man 
caught  the  horse  by  the  bridle,  and 
said  gravely — 

"  Ye  maun  stop  and  satisfy  three 
sorrowful  parents  !  What  hae  ye  done 
witli  your  twa  thoughtless  com- 
panions ?  " 

My  grandfather's  heart  was  as  if 
it  would  have  perished  in  his  bosom  ; 
for  the  company  he  had  seen  the  lads 
with,  and  the  talk  they  had  held,  and 
above  all  their  recklessness  of  prin- 
ciple, came  upon  him  like  a  withering 
Hash  of  fire.  He,  however,  replied 
soberly,  that  he  had  seen  tliem  botii 
the  night  before,  and  that  tliey  were 
well  in  health  and  jocund  in  spirit. 

The  mother  that  was  standing  near 
her  husband  was  blithe  to  hear  this, 
and  reminded  her  gudeman,  how  she 
Lad  often  said,  tliat  when  they  did 
hear  tidings  of  their  son  her  words 
woidd  be  found  true,  for  he  iiad  ever 
been  all  his  days  a  brisk  and  valiant 
bairn. 

But  the  helpless  widow  was  notcon- 
tent,  and  she  came  forward  drying  her 
tears,  saying,  "  And  what  is  my  poor 
fatherless  do-na-gudo  about?  I'm 
fearfu  to  be  particular ;  for,  though 
he  was  aye  kind-hearted  to  me,  he 
WJis  easily  wised,  and  I  doubt  he'll 
prove  a  blasting  or  a  blessing,  ac- 
cording to  the  liJinds  he  fa's  among." 

"  I  hope  and  pray,"  said  my  grand- 
father, "  that  he'll  be  protected  from 
ficaith,  and  live  to  be  a  comfort  to  all 
liis  friends."  And,  so  saying,  he  dis- 
engaged his  bridle  with  a  gentle  vio- 
lence from  the  old  man's  hold,  telling 
them,  he  could  not  afford  to  stop, 
being  timed  to  reach  Glasgow  that 


night.  So  he  pricif^d  ntie  horse  with 
his  rowals,  and  t-Lcfl  iwray  ;  but  his 
heart,  all  the  I'emjuan^ier  &i  his  day's 
journey,  was  as  if  it  IiakI  been  pierced 
with  many  barbed  Miroiwra.  and  the  sad 
voice  of  the  poor  ajmaom*  widow  rung 
in  his  ears  like  the  fiaiaiKtii  of  aome  dole- 
ful knell. 

Saving  this  aflair  a*t  Lichgow,  no- 
thing befell  him  tilll  fiue  crime  to  the 
gates  of  Glasgow:  W  which  time  it 
was  dark,  and  the  irjunl;irKi  watch  set, 
and  they  questioDed  him.  very  sharply 
before  giving  liim  A(ii'Miii«»ion.  For  the 
Queen  Regent  was  ttSusa  sojourning 
in  the  castle,  an<8  her  inaxs  and  cares 
were  greatly  qiiicitswii  at  that  time, 
by  rumours  from  ulil  jiiarta  of  the  king- 
dom, concerning  •tiM- nminider,  as  it  was 
called,  of  M sister  Mil.  ifn  this  ac- 
count the  French  gmnunfe,  which  she 
had  with  her.  wfre  Di!i.§trTicted  to  bo 
jealous  of  all  untimMi'iK  tej. Tellers,  and 
they  being  joined  "jriafti  -i  wjinl  of  bur- 
ghers, but  using  omilT iilL»*ir  owntongue, 
caused  no  smfU]  mcilksnanion  to  every 
Scotsman  that  Bcnp' "  a<imission  after 
the  sun  was  set :  J;'!  niie  b;irgliers  not 
being  well  versed  am  nniiilinnary  practices, 
were  of  thomselvt.*  tctt  propugnacious 
in  their  authoriTx.  nmifcing  more  ado 
tlhin  even  the  FrenDdh-men.  It  hap- 
pened, however,  liiain  iik*^re  wa.;  among 
those  valiant  trudri'fan.d  craftsmen  of 
Glasgow  one  11)Ci!Eiuu»Swon],  the  dea- 
con of  the  hamiDtiniEiiiin..  and  he  having 
the  command  of  lii>c«f  stationed  at  the 
gate,  overheard  "srkiii!  wua  p.Lssing  with 
my  grandfalh^T.  aiml  criming  out  of 
the  wardroom,  iinqinired  his  name, 
wliich  when  be  litrwui^aiid  that  he  was 
son  to  Michael  (GiiillBiaiija*,.  the  Litligow 
farrier,  he  adviwid  HiO'  Bet  him  in.  say- 
ing, he  knew  Lis  ffrnifiusr  wtll.  and  tiiat 
they  had  worked  to^nlicr.  when  young 
men,  in  the  King'*  aumioary  at  Stirling; 
and  he  told  Limu  wluHre  he  lived,  and 
invited  him,  wLeaii  Ma  horse  was  sta- 
bled, to  come  t'S  -Tpper.  for  he  was 
glad  to  see  him  im  im  father's  sake' 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


83 


At  tin's  time  an  ancient  controvorsy 
between  tlie  Arclibi.sliops  of  St  And- 
rews and  of  Glasgow,  touching  their 
resjjective  jurisdictions,  liad  been  re- 
suscitated with  great  acrirnoi  y,  and  in 
the  debates  concerning  the  same  the 
Ghisgow  people  took  a  deep  interest ; 
for  tliey  are  stout-hearted  and  of  an 
adventurous  spirit,  and  cannot  abide 
to  think  tiiat  they  or  tlieir  town  should, 
in  any  thing  of  public  honour,  be 
deemed  either  slack  or  second  to  the 
foremost  in  tlio  realm ;  and  none  of 
all  tlie  worthy  burgesses  thereof 
thought  more  proudly  of  the  superior- 
ity and  renown  of  their  city  than  did 
Deacon  Sword.  So  it  came  to  pass, 
as  he  was  sitting  at  supper  with  my 
grandfather,  that  he  enlarged  and  ex- 
patiated on  the  inordinate  pretensions 
of  the  Archbisliop  of  St  Andrews,  and 
took  occasion  to  diverge  from  the  pre- 
late's political  ambition  to  speak  of  the 
enormities  of  his  ecclesiastical  govern- 
ment, and  particularly  of  that  heinous 
and  never-to-be-forgotten  act,  the 
burning  of  an  aged  man  of  fourscore 
and  two  years,  whose  very  heresies, 
as  the  deacon  mercifully  said,  ought 
rather  to  have  been  imputed  to  dotage, 
than  charged  as  offences. 

My  grandfather  was  well  pleased 
to  observe  such  vigour  of  principle 
and  bravery  of  character,  in  one 
having  such  sway  and  Aveight  in  so 
great  a  community  as  to  be  the  chief 
captain  of  the  crafts  who  were  banded 
with  the  hammermen,  namely,  the 
cartwrights,  the  saddlers,  the  masons, 
the  cooj)ers,  the  mariners,  and  all 
whose  work  required  the  use  of  edge- 
tools,  the  hardiest  and  buirdliest  of 
the  trades — and  he  allowed  himself 
to  run  in  with  the  deacon's  humour, 
but  without  letting  wot  either  in  whose 
service  he  was,  or  on  what  exploit  he 
was  bound ;  sowing,  however,  from 
time  to  time,  hints  as  to  the  need 
that  seemed  to  be  growing  of  putting 
a  curb  on  the  bold  front  wherewith 


the  Archbishop  of  St  Andrews,  under 
the  pretext  of  suppressing  heresies, 
butted  with  the  horns  of  oppression 
against  all  who  stood  within  the  rev- 
erence of  his  displeasure. 

Deacon  Sword  had  himself  a  lean- 
ing to  the  reformed  doctrines,  which, 
with  his  public  enmity  to  the  chal- 
lenger of  his  own  Archbishop,  made 
him  take  to  those  hints  with  so  great 
an  affinity,  that  he  vowed  to  God, 
shaking  my  grandfather  by  the  hand 
over  the  table,  that  if  some  steps  were 
not  soon  taken  to  stop  such  inordinate 
misrule,  there  were  not  wanting  fiva 
hundred  men  in  Glasgow,  who  would 
start  forth  with  weapons  in  their  grip, 
at  the  first  tout  of  a  trump,  to  vin- 
dicate  the  liberties  of  the  subject,  and 
the  wholesome  administration,  by  the 
temporal  judges  of  the  law  against  all 
offenders  as  of  old.  And  giving  scope 
to  his  ardour,  he  said  there  was  then 
such  a  spirit  awakened  in  Glasgow, 
that  men,  women,  and  children, 
thirsted  to  see  justice  executed  on  the 
churchmen,  who  were  daily  waxing 
more  and  more  wroth  and  insatiable 
against  every  one  who  called  their 
doctrines  or  polity  in  question. 

Thus  out  of  the  very  devices, 
which  had  been  devised  by  those 
about  the  Queen  Regent  to  intercept 
the  free  communion  of  the  people 
with  one  another,  was  the  means 
brought  about  whereby  a  chosen  emis- 
sary of  the  Congregation  came  to  get 
at  the  emboldening  knowledge  of  the 
sense  of  the  citizens  of  Glasgow,  with 
regard  to  the  great  cause  which  at 
that  period  troubled  the  minds  and 
fears  of  all  men. 

]My  grandfather  was  joyfully 
heartened  by  what  he  heard ;  and 
before  coming  away  from  the  deacon, 
who,  with  the  hospitality  common  to 
his  townsmen,  would  fain  have  had 
him  to  prolong  their  sederunt  over 
the  gardevine,  he  said,  that  if  Glas- 
gow were  as  true  and  valiant  as  it 


H 


RING  AN  GILHAIZE. 


wag  fcliouglit,  tliero  could  be  no  doubt 
thiit  her  ileclaration  for  tho  Ijords  of 
tlic  Confjrc'gation  would  work  out  a, 
^'roiit  rc'(lrL',s3  of  public  wrong's.  For, 
from  all  liu  could  loam  and  under- 
stand, those  high  and  pious  noblemen 
had  nothing  more  at  heart  than  to 
procure  for  the  people  tlie  free  exer- 
cise of  their  right  to  worship  God  ac- 
cording to  their  conscienc-r,  and  tlie 
doctrines  of  t'le  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments. 

But  thougli,  over  the  liquor-cup, 
the  deacon  had  spoken  so  dreauless, 
and  like  a  manly  fitizen,  my  grand- 
father resolved  with  himself  to  depart 
betimes  for  Kilmarnock,  in  case  of 
any  change  in  his  temper.  Accor- 
dingly, he  requested  the  hostler  of  the 
hostel  where  ho  had  taken  his  bed,  to 
which  his  day's  hard  journey  early 
inclined  him,  to  have  his  horde 
in  readiness  before  break  of  day. 
]jut  this  hostel,  which  was  called 
the  Cross  of  lUiodes,  happened 
to  be  situated  at  tho  Water-port, 
and  besides  being  a  tavern  and  inn, 
was  likewise  the  great  ferryhou,se 
of  tlio  Clyde  when  tho  tide  was  up,  or 
the  ford  rendered  unsafe  '.y  tlie  tor- 
rents of  spates  and  inliiid  rains — the 
which  caused  it  to  be  much  frequented 
by  the  skippers  and  mariners  of  the 
barks  that  traded  to  France  and 
Genoa  witli  the  llenfrow  salmon,  and 
by  all  sorts  of  travellers,  at  all  times, 
even  to  tho  small  hours  <  i  tho  mor- 
ning. In  short  it  was  a  boisterous 
house,  the  company  resorting  thereto 
of  a  sort  little  in  unison  witii  tho  re- 
ligious frame  of  my  grandfather.  As 
soon,  tliereforc,  as  he  came  from  tlie 
deacon's,  ho  went  to  bed  without 
taking  off  his  clothes,  in  order  that 
ho  miglit  be  fit  for  tho  road  as  he 
intended:  and  his  bed  bi.-ing  in  the 
public  room,  with  sliding-doors,  he 
drew  them  upon  him,  hoping  to  shut, 
out  some  of  the  din,  and  to  win  a 
Jittip   repose.     ]int  scarcely  had  he 


laid  his  head  on  tho  ])illow,  wlien  ho 
heard  the  voice  of  one  entering  tho 
room,  and  listening  eagerly,  he  dis- 
covered tliat  it  was  no  otiier  than  the 
traitor  Winlerton's,  the  which  so 
amazed  him  witii  apprehension,  that 
ho  shook  as  ho  lay,  like  the  Jispen 
leaf  on  tlie  tree. 

Winterton  called  like  n  braggart 
for  supper  and  hot  wine,  boasting 
ho  had  ridden  that  day  from  Ktliu- 
burgh,  and  that  ho  must  bo  up  and 
across  his  horse  by  dayliglit  in  the 
morning,  as  he  had  need  to  bo  in 
Kilmarnock  by  noon.  In  this,  which 
vanity  made  him  tell  in  bravado, 
my  grandfather  could  not  but  ili^scern 
a  kind  Providence  admonisliing  him- 
self, for  he  had  no  doubt  that  Win- 
terton was  in  pursuit  of  him ;  ami 
thankful  ho  was  that  ho  had  given  no 
inkHng  to  any  one  in  the  hou.se  as  to 
whence  he  had  come,  and  wiiere  ho 
was  going.  IJutliad  this  tliought  not 
at  once  entered  his  head,  he  would 
soon  have  had  cause  to  think  it ;  for 
while  Winterton  was  eating  his  sup- 
per he  began  to  converse  witli  thcii 
host,  and  to  enquire  what  travellers 
had  crossed  the  river.  Twice  or 
tlirice,  in  as  it  were  an  offhand  man- 
ner, he  spoke  of  one  whom  he  cal!ed 
a  cousin  ;  but,  in  describing  his  garb, 
ho  left  no  doubt  in  my  grandfatiier's 
bosom  that  it  was  regarding  him  he 
seemed  at  once  both  so  negligent  and 
KO  anxious.  Most  providential  there- 
fore it  was,  that  my  grandfatlier  had 
altered  his  dress  before  leaving  Edin- 
buigl),  for  the  marks  which  AVinter- 
ton  gave  of  hiin  were  chiefly  drawn 
from  his  ordinary  girb,  and  by  them 
their  host  in  consequince  said  he  had 
seen  no  such  person. 

When  Winterton  had  finished  his 
repast,  and  was  getting  ids  second 
stoiip  of  wine  heated,  he  asked  wh' re 
he  was  to  sh-ep.  To  the  which  ques- 
tion the  host  I'eiilied,  that  he  feared 
he   would,  like  others,  be  obligated 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


85 


to  make  a  beucli  by  tlio  fireside  his 
coiicli,  all  tlie  beds  in  the  house  being 
alivady  bespoke  or  occupied.  "  Every 
one  of  tliein  is  double,"  said  the  man, 
save  only  one,  the  which  is  iKiid  for 
by  a  youn;,'  man  that  goes  off  at  break 
i  of  day,  ami  Avho  is  already  asleep." 
At  this  Winterton  swore  a  dread- 
iful  oatb,  tliat  he  would  not  sleep  by 
file  fire  after  riding  fifty  miles,  while 
there  was  half  a  bed  in  the  house,  and 

I  oonnnanded  the  host  to  go  and  tell 
tlie  young  man  that  he  must  half 
blankets  with  him. 

iMy  gramlfather  knew  that  this 
could  only  refer  to  him ;  so,  when 
their  host  came  and  opened  the  sliding 
doors  of  the  bed,  he  feigned  himsen 
to  be  very  fast  asleep  at  the  back  of 
the  bod,  and  only  groaned  in  drowsi- 
ness when  he  was  touched. 

"  O,  let  him  alane,"  cried  Winter- 
ton,  "  I  ken  what  it  is  to  bo  tired  ;  so, 
iis  there's  room  enough  at  the  stock, 
when  I  have  drank  my  posset  I'll  e'en 
creep  in  beside  him." 

My  grandfather,  weary  as  ho  was, 
lay  panting  with  apprehension,  not 
doubthig  that  he  should  be  speedily 
discovered ;  but  when  Winterton  had 
linished  his  drink,  and  came   swag- 

I  gering  and  jocose  to  be  his  bedfellow, 
he  kept  himself  with  his  face  to  the 
wall,  and  snored  like  one  who  was  in 
haste  to  sleep  more  than  enough, 
insomuch  that  Winterton,  when  he 
lay  down,  gave  him  a  dog  with  his 
elbow  and  swore  at  him  to  be  quiet. 
His  own  fatigue,  however,  soon 
mastered  the  disturbance  which  my 
grandfather  made,  and  he  began  him- 
self to  echo  the  noiso  in  defenceless 
sincerity. 

On  hearing  him  thus  fettered  by 

I  sleep,  my  grandfather  began  to  con- 
sider with  himself  what  ho  ought  to 
(lo,  being  both  afraid  and  perplexed 
he  knew  not  wherefore  ;  and  he  was 
prompted  by  a  Power  that  he  durst 

{not  and  could  not  reason  with,  to  rise 


and  escape  from  the  jeopardy  wherein 
he  tlien  wiis.  But  how  could  this  bo 
done  ?  for  the  house  was  still  open, 
and  travellers  ai.d  customers  wore 
continually  going  and  coming,  'i'ruly 
his  situation  was  one  of  great  tribu- 
lation, and  escape  therefrom  a  thing 
seemingly  past  hope  and  the  unaided 
wisdom  of  man. 

After  lying  about  the  period  of  an 
hour  in  great  perturbation,  he  began 
to  grow  more  collected,  and  the  din 
and  resort  of  strangers  in  the  house 
also  subsided,  by  which  he  was  en- 
abled,withhelpfrom  on  High,  to  gather 
his  scattered  thoughts,  and  to  bind 
them  up  into  the  sheaves  of  purpose 
and  resolution.  Accordingly,  when 
all  was  still,  and  several  young  men, 
that  were  sitting  by  the  fire  on  ac- 
count of  every  bed  being  occupied, 
gave  note,  by  their  deep  breathing, 
that  sleep  had  descended  upon  them, 
and  darkened  their  senses  with  her 
gracious  and  downy  wings,  he  rose 
softly  from  the  side  of  Winterton, 
and  stepping  over  him,  slipped  to  tlio 
door,  which  he  unbarred,  and  tho 
moon  shining  bright,  he  went  to  tiie 
stable  to  take  out  his  horse.  It  was 
not  his  intent  to  have  done  this,  but 
to  have  gone  up  into  the  streets  of 
the  city,  and  walked  the  v,'alls  thereof 
till  he  thought  his  adversary  was  gone; 
but  seeing  the  moon  so  fair  and  clear, 
he  determined  to  take  Lis  horse  and 
proceed  on  his  journey  ;  for  the  river 
was  low  and  fordable,  and  trintled 
its  waters  with  a  silvery  sheen  in  the 
stillness  of  the  beautiful  light. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  he  pulled 
the  latch  of  the  stable  door, — even  as 
he  was  just  entering  in,  when  he  heard 
Winterton  coming  from  the  house 
rousing  the  hostler,  whom  he  pro- 
fanely rated  for  allowing  him  to  over- 
sleep himself.  For,  wakening  just  as 
his  bedfellow  rose,  he  thought  the 
morning  was  come,  and  that  his  orders 
Lad  been  neglected. 


36 


RINGAN  GILnAIZE. 


In  tliia  extremity  my  grandfatlior 
saw  no  chance  of  evasion.  If  lie  went 
out  into  the  moonshine  he  woukl  to  a 
buix'ty  be  discovered,  and  in  the  stable 
lie  wouhl  to  a  certainty  be  eauf^ht. 
But  what  couhl  he  do,  and  the  dan<,a'r 
to  pressinf,'?  lie  had  liardly  a  choice  ; 
however  ho  went  into  the  stable,  sliut 
tne  door,  and  runiiiiig  up  to  the  liorses 
tliat  were  fartiiest  ben,  mounted  into 
tiie  liack,  and  hid  himself  among  t'.ic 
hay. 

In  that  concealment  ho  was  scarcely 
•well  down,  when  Winterton,  with  an 
hostler  that  was  half-asleep,  came  with 
a  lantern  to  the  door,  banning  the 
poor  Icnave  as  if  he  had  been  cursing 
him  Avith  bell,  book,  and  candle  ;  the 
other  rubbing  his  eyes  and  declaring 
it  was  still  far  from  morning,  and 
saying  he  was  sure  the  other  traveller 
was  not  gone.  To  the  which  there 
was  speedy  evidence ;  for  on  going 
towards  Winterton's  horse  the  hostler 
sav/  my  grandfather's  in  its  stall,  and 
told  him  so. 

At  that  moment  a  glimpse  of  the 
lantern  fell  on  the  horse's  legs,  and 
its  feet  being  v  lite,— "  Oho  !  "  cried 
"NVinterton,  *'  Int  us  look  here. — Ken- 
neth Shelty's  Ughtfoot; — the  very 
beast; — and  l.ic  I  been  in  the  same 
hole  wi'  the  tod  and  no  kent  it.  The 
de'il's  black  collie  worry  me,  but  this 
is  a  soople  trick.  I  did  nae  think  the 
eleokit  sinner  had  art  enough  to  play't; 
— nae  doubt,  he's  gane  to  hide  himself 
in  the  town  till  I'm  awa,  for  ho  h.-is 
heard  what  I  said  yestreen.  But  I'll 
be  up  sides  wi'  him.  The  de'il  a  foot 
will  I  gang  this  morning  till  he  comes 
back  for  his  horse."  And  with  these 
words  he  turned  out  of  the  stable  with 
the  hostler,  and  went  back  to  the 
house, 

No  sooner  were  they  well  gone 
than  my  grandfather  came  from  his 
hiding-place,  and  twisting  a  wisp  of 
straw  round  his  horse's  feet,  that  they 
might  not  dirl  of  make  a  diu  oa  the 


stones,  he  led  it  cannily  out,  and  down 
to  the  river's  brink,  and  there  mount- 
ing, took  the  foni,  and  was  soon  frre 
on  the  (jorbals  side.  Hiding  up  the 
gait  at  a  brisk  trot,  he  passed  on  for  a 
short  time  along  the  road  that  he  had 
been  told  led  to  Kilmarnock ;  but  fo;.r- 
ing  lio  would  bo  followed,  lie  turned 
off  at  the  first  wynd  iie  'Jiinn.'  ^oon  tiio 
right;  and  a  blessed  thii.g  it  was  that 
he  did  so,  for  it  led  to  the  Keforma- 
tion-leavened  town  of  I'aisley,  where 
he  arrived  an  hour  before  daylight. 
Winterton,  little  je.ilousing  what  had 
happened,  went  again  to  bed,  as  my 
grandfather  afterwards  learnt,  and  had 
fallen  asleep.  In  the  morning  when 
he  awoke,  and  was  told  that  both  man 
and  horse  were  llown,  ho  flayed  the 
hostler's  back  and  legs  in  more  than 
a  score  of  places,  believing  he  had 
connived  at  my  grandfather's  secret 
flight. 

ISly  grandfather  had  never  before 
been  in  the  town  of  I'aisley,  but  ho 
had  often  hocard  from  Abercorn's  serv- 
ing-men that  were  wont  to  sorn  about 
his  father's  smiddy,  of  a  house  of 
jovial  entertainment  by  the  water- 
side, about  a  stone-cast  from  the 
abbey-yett,  the  hostess  whereof  was  a 
certain  canty  dame  called  Maggy 
Napier,  then  in  great  rej^ute  with  the 
sh.ivelings  of  the  abbey.  Thither  he 
directed  his  course,  the  abbey  towers 
serving  him  for  her  sign,  and  the 
moonlight  and  running  river  were 
guides  to  her  door,  at  the  which  ho 
was  not  blate  in  chapping.  She  was, 
however,  long  of  giving  entrance;  for 
it  happened  that  some  nights  before, 
the  magistrates  of  the  town  had  been 
at  a  carousal  with  the  abbot  and  chap- 
ter, the  papistical  denomination  for 
the  seven  heads  and  ten  horns  of  a 
monastery,  and  when  they  had  come 
away  and  wore  going  home,  one  of 
them,  Bailie  Pollock,  a  gaucy  widower, 
was  instigated  by  the  devil  and  the 
wine  he  had  drank  to  stravaig  towards 


that 

a  pit 

more 

awo 

fast  1 

and 

kinc 

ing 

pose 

lawi: 

but 

bacll 


RINGAN  GILHATZK. 


87 


!Mfif,'f:y  XnpiorV, — .a  most  nnsconily 
tliiiif,'  fur  !i  bailio  to  do,  cHpccially  n 
bailie  of  rai.sley ;  but  it  waH  then  the 
(lays  of  jiopiHli  sinfulness.  And  when 
IJailii!  I'ollock  went  tliither,  the  house 
was  full  of  riotous  swankies,  who  being 
the  waur  of  drink  tiieniselves,  had  but 
little  reverence  for  a  magistrate  in  tiie 
same  state  ;  so  they  handled  liim  to 
such  a  degree  that  lie  was  obliged  to 
keep  his  bed  and  put  collops  to  liis 
eyes  for  three  days.  The  consequence 
of  which  was,  that  tlic  hotisc  fell  under 
the  displeasure  of  the  Town  Council, 
and  Maggie  was  admonished  to  keep 
it  more  orderly  and  doucely, — tliough 
the  fault  came  neither  from  her  nor 
her  customers,  as  she  told  my  grand- 
father, f(jr  detaining  him  so  long,  it 
being  requisite  that  she  should  see  he 
was  in  a  condition  of  sobriety  before 
letting  him  in.  liut,  when  admitted, 
ho  was  in  no  spirit  to  enjoy  her 
jocosity  concerning  Bailie  Pollock's 
spree,  so  he  told  her  that  ho  had  come 
far,  and  had  far  to  go,  and  that  having 
heard  sore  tidings  of  a  friend,  ho  was 
fain  to  go  to  bed  and  try  if  he  could 
coujpose  himself  with  au  hour  or  two 
of  sleep. 

IMaggie  accordingly  refrained  from 
her  jocularity,  and  began  to  soothe  and 
comfort  him,  for  she  was  naturally  of 
a  winsome  way,  and  prepared  a  bed 
for  him  with  her  best  sheets,  the 
which,  she  said,  were  gi'en  her  in 
gratus  gift  frae  the  Lord  Abbot,  eo 
that  he  undressed  himself,  and  enjoyed 
a  pleasant  interregnum  of  anxiety  for 
more  than  five  hours ;  and  when  he 
awoke  and  was  up,  he  found  a  break- 
fast worthy  of  the  abbot  himself  ready, 
and  his  hostess  was  most  courtly  and 
kind,  praising  the  dainties,  and  press- 
ing liim  to  eat.  Nor,  when  he  pro- 
posed to  reckon  with  her  for  the 
lawin,  would  she  touch  the  money, 
but  made  him  promise,  when  ho  came 
back,  ho  would  bide  another  night 
with  her,  hoping  he  would  then  be  la 


better  spirits, — for  she  was  wao  to  seo 
sae  braw  a  gallant  sae  casteu  down, 
doless,  and  d(j\vie. 

When  they  had  settled  their  con- 
test, and  my  grandfather  had  como 
out  to  mount  his  beast,  which  a  strip- 
ling was  holding  ready  for  him  at  a 
louj)ing-on-stane  near  the  abbey-yett, 
as  he  was  going  thither,  a  young 
friar,  who  w.os  taking  a  morning  stroll 
along  the  pleasant  banks  of  the  Cart, 
approached  towards  him,  and  after 
looking  hard  at  him  for  some  time, 
called  him  by  name,  and  took  him  by 
both  the  hands,  which  ho  pressed  with 
a  brotherly  affection. 

This  friar  was  of  Lithgow  parent- 
age, and  called  Dominick  Callender, 
and  when  he  and  my  grandfather 
were  playing-bairns,  they  h.id  sjjent 
many  a  merry  day  of  their  suspicion- 
less  young  years  together.  As  he 
grew  up,  being  a  lad  of  shrewd  parts, 
and  of  a  very  staid  and  orderly  de- 
portment, the  monks  set  their  snares 
for  him,  and  before  ho  could  well 
think  for  himself  he  was  wiled  into 
their  traps,  and  becoming  a  novice,  in 
due  season  professed  himself  a  monk. 
But  it  was  some  time  before  my 
grandfather  knew  him  again,  for  the 
ruddy  of  youth  had  fled  his  cheek, 
and  he  was  pale  and  of  a  studious 
countenance ;  and  when  the  first 
sparklings  of  his  pleasure  at  the  sight 
of  his  old  play-marrow  had  gone  off, 
liis  eyes  saddened  into  thoughtfulness, 
and  he  appeared  like  one  weighed 
down  with  care  and  heavy  inward 
dule. 


ClIATTER    V. 

After  Dominick  Callender  and  my 
grandfather  had  conversed  some  time, 
with  many  interchanges  of  the  kindly 
remembrances  of  past  pleasures,  the 
gentle  friar  began  to  bewail  his 
sad  estate  in  being  a  professed 
monk,  and   so   mournfully  to   de- 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


plore  the  rashness  with  which  inex- 
perienced youth  often  takes  upon 
Itself  a  yoke  it  can  never  lay  clown, 
that  the  compassion  of  his  friend  was 
sorrowfully  awakened,  for  he  saw  lie 
•was  living  a  life  of  bitterness  and 
grief.  He  heard  him,  however,  with- 
out making  any  reply,  or  saying 
anything  concerning  his  own  lot  of 
hazard  and  adventure ;  for,  consider- 
ing Dominick  to  be  leagued  with  the 
papistical  orders,  he  did  not  think 
him  safe  to  be  trusted,  notwithstand- 
ing the  unchanged  freshness  of  the 
loving-kindness  which  he  still  seemed 
to  bear  in  his  heart :  nor  even,  had 
he  not  felt  this  jealousy,  would  he 
have  thought  himself  free  to  speak  of 
his  errand,  far  less  to  have  given  to 
any  stranger  aught  that  might  have 
been  an  inkling  of  his  noble  master's 
zealous,  but  secret  stirrings,  for  the 
weal  of  Scotland,  and  the  cufraucliise- 
ment  of  the  worshippers  of  the  true 
God. 

When  my  grandfather  had  arrived 
at  his  horse,  and  prepared  to  mount, 
Dominick  Callendcr  said  to  him,  if 
he  would  ride  slowly  for  a  little  way 
he  would  walk  by  his  side,  adding, 
♦'  for  may  be  I'll  ne'er  see  you  again 
— I'm  a-weary  of  this  way  of  life,  and 
the  signs  of  the  times  bode  no  good 
to  the  church,  I  hae  a  thought  to  go 
into  some  foreign  land,  where  I  may 
taste  the  air  of  a  freeman,  and  I  feel 
myself  comforted  before  I  quit  our 
auld  hard-favoured,  but  warm-lieartcd 
Scotland,  in  meeting  wi'  ano  that  re- 
minds me  how  I  had  once  sunny 
mornings  and  summer  days." 

This  was  said  so  much  in  the  sin- 
cerity of  a  confiding  spirit,  tliat  my 
grandfather  could  not  refrain  from 
observing,  in  answer,  that  lie  feared 
Lis  friar's  cloak  did  not  sit  easy  upon 
him ;  which  led  him  on  to  acknow- 
ledge that  it  was  so. 

"  I  am  speaking  to  you,  (Jilhaize," 
*  Rilidhe, «'  with  the  frauk  heart  uf  auld 


langsyue,  and  I  dinna  scruple  to  con- 
fess to  one  that  I  hae  ofteii  thought 
of,  and  Aveary't  to  see  again,  and 
wondered  wliat  had  become  of,  that 
my  conscience  has  revolted  against 
the  errors  of  the  papacy,  and  that  I 
am  now  upon  the  eve  of  fleeing  my 
native  land,  and  joining  the  Reformed 
at  Geneva.  And  maybe  I'm  no  or- 
dain'd  to  spend  a'  my  life  in  exile ; 
for  no  man  can  deny  that  the  people 
of  Scotland  are  not  inwardly  the  warm 
adversaries  of  the  church.  That  last 
and  cruellest  deed,  the  sacrifice  of  the 
feckless  old  man  of  four-score  and 
upward,  has  proven  that  the  humanity 
of  the  world  will  no  longer  endure  the 
laws  and  pretensions  of  the  church; 
and  there  are  few  in  Paisley  whom 
the  burning  of  auld  Mill  has  not 
kindled  with  the  spirit  of  resistance. ' 

The  latter  portion  of  these  words 
was  as  joyous  tidings  to  my  grand- 
father, and  he  tightened  his  reins  and 
entered  into  a  more  particular  and 
inquisitive  discourse  with  his  com- 
panion, by  which  he  gathered  that  the 
martyrdom  of  Master  Mill  had  indeed 
caused  great  astonishment  and  wrath 
among  the  pious  in  and  about  Paisley, 
and  not  only  among  them,  but  had 
estranged  the  affections  even  of  the 
more  worldly  from  the  priesthood,  of 
Avhom  it  was  openly  said,  that  the 
sense  of  pity  towards  the  commonalty 
of  mankind  was  extinguished  within 
them,  and  that  they  were  all  in  all  for 
themselves. 

IJut  as  they  were  proceeding 
through  the  town  and  along  the  road, 
conversing  in  a  familiar  but  earnest 
manner  on  these  great  concerns, 
Dominick  Callender  began  to  inveigh 
against  the  morals  of  liis  brethren, 
and  to  lament  Jigain,  in  a  very  piteous 
manner,  that  he  was  decreed,  by  hia 
monastic  profession,  from  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  dearest  and  tenderest 
emotions  of  man.  And  before  they 
separated,  it  catne  out  that  he  had 


MNGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


been  for  some  tiino  touched  -vvitli  tlio 
soft  oiicliaiituients  of  love  for  a  young 
maiden,  (lie  diui<,diter  of  a  g'l'Utleniau 
of  f,f(jod  account  in  Paisley,  and  that 
her  cliasto  piety  Avas  as  the  precious 
guiii  wlierewith  tlie  E<,'yptians  of  ohl 
Ijreserved  their  dead  in  everlasting 
beauty,  keeping  from  her  presence  all 
tiiiiit  of  impurity,  and  of  thoughts 
sullying  to  innocence. 

''  But."  ho  exclaimed  with  a 
sorrowful  voice,  "  that  whicli  is  her 
glory,  and  my  admiration  and  praise, 
is  converted,  by  the  bondage  of  my 
unnatural  vows,  into  a  curse  to  us 
both.  'J'he  felicity  that  we  might 
have  enjoyed  together  in  wedded  life 
is  forbidclt-n  to  us  as  a  great  crime. 
But  the  laws  of  God  are  above  the 
canons  of  the  church,  the  voice  of 
Nature  is  louder  than  the  fulminations 
of  the  Vatican,  and  I  have  resolved 
to  obey  the  one.  and  give  ear  to  the 
other,  despite  the  horrors  tliat  await 
on  apostacy.  Can  you,  Cilhaize,  in 
aught  assist  my  resolution  ?  " 

There  was  so  nnich  veliemence 
and  the  passion  of  grief  in  tliese 
ejaculations,  tliat  my  grandfatlier  Avist 
not  well  what  to  say.  He  told  him, 
however,  not  to  be  rasli  in  what  he 
dill,  nor  to  disclose  his  intents,  save 
only  to  those  in  whom  he  could  con- 
fide ;  for  the  times  were  peiilous  to 
every  one  that  sla''kened  in  reverence 
to  the  jiapaey,  particularly  to  such  as 
had  pastured  within  the  chosen  folds 
of  tli(!  church. 

"Bide,"  said  he,  "till  you  see 
what  issue  is  ordained  to  come  from 
this  dreadful  deed  whicli  so  sliak .th 
all  the  land,  making  tlie  abbey  towers 
topple  and  tnniMe  to  their  oldest  and 
difpcst  foundations.  'J'ruth  is  awak- 
ened, and  gone  forth  conquering  and 
to  conquer.  It  cannot  be  that  ancient 
iniquities  will  be  much  longer  endur- 
ed ;  the  arm  of  Wratli  is  raised  against 
them  ;  the  sword  of  Jtevenge  is  drawn 
forth  from  its  scabbard  by  Justice ; 


and  Nature  ha?  burst  asunder  the 
cords  of  the  Roman  harlot,  and  stands 
in  her  freedom,  like  Samson,  when 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  mightily 
poured  upon  him,  as  he  awoke  from 
tlie  lap  of  Delilah." 

The  gentle  friar,  as  my  grandfather 
often  told,  stood  for  some  time  as- 
tounded at  this  speech,  and  then  he 
said — 

'•I  dreamt  not,  Gilhaize,  that  be- 
neath a  countenance  so  calm  and 
comely,  the  zealoiLs  fires  of  a  Avarrior's 
bravery  could  have  been  kindled  to  so 
vehement  a  beat.  But  I  Avill  vex  you 
with  no  questions.  Heaven  is  on  your 
side,  and  may  its  redeeming  prompt- 
ings never  allow  its  ministers  to  rest, 
till  the  fetters  are  broken  and  the 
slaves  are  set  free.'' 

AVith  these  words  he  stepped  for^ 
ward  to  shake  my  grandfather  by  the 
hand,  and  bid  him  farewell ;  but  just 
as  he  came  to  the  stirrup  he  halted 
and  said — 

'•It  is  cot  for  nothing  that  the 
remembrance  of  voii  has  been  pre- 
serA'ed  so  much  brighter  and  dearer 
to  me  than  that  of  all  my  kin. 
There  was  aye  something  about  you, 
in  our  heedk-RS  days,  that  often  made 
me  wonder,  I  coulil  not  tell  where- 
fore ;  and  now,  when  I  behold  you 
in  th<'  prime  of  manhood,  it  fills  me 
Avith  admiration  and  awe,  and  makes 
me  do  homage  to  you  as  a  master." 

^luch  more  he  added  to  tiie  same 
eiTect,  which  the  modesty  of  my 
grandfather  would  not  alloAV  him  to 
rej.eat ;  but  when  they  had  parted, 
and  my  grandfather  had  ridden  for- 
ward some  tvo  or  three  miles,  he  re- 
called to  mind  what  had  passed 
between  tLt-m.  and  he  used  to  say 
that  this  discount  with  his  early  friend 
first  ojx'ned  to  him  a  view  of  the 
grievous  captivity  wl.  h  many  suffered 
in  the  monauterits  ai.d  convents,  not- 
Avithstanding  the  loose  lives  imputed 
to  their  inmates  ;  and  he  saw  that  the 


40 


RINGAN  GILHATZE, 


Reformation  would  be  hailed  by  many 
that  languished  in  the  bondage  of 
their  vows,  as  a  great  and  glorious 
deliverance.  But  still  he  was  wont  to 
say,  even  with  such  as  these,  it  was 
overly  mingled  with  temporal  con- 
cernments, and  that  they  longed  for 
it  less  on  account  of  its  immortal 
issues,  than  for  its  worldly  emancipa- 
tions. 

And  as  he  was  proceeding  on  his 
way  in  tliis  frame  of  mind,  and  think- 
ing on  all  that  he  had  seen  and  learnt 
from  the  day  in  which  he  bade  adieu 
to  his  father's  house,  he  came  to  a 
place  where  the  road  forked  off  in  two 
different  airts,  and  not  knowing  which 
to  take,  he  stopped  his  horse  and 
waited  till  a  man  drew  nigh,  whom  he 
observed  coming  towards  him.  By 
tiiis  man  he  was  told,  that  the  road 
leading  leftward  led  to  Kilmarnock 
and  Ayr,  and  the  other  on  the  right 
to  Kilwinning ;  so,  without  saying 
anything,  he  turned  his  horse's  head 
into  the  latter;  the  which  he  was 
moved  to  do  t)y  sundry  causes  and 
reasons.  First,  he  had  remarked  that 
the  chances  in  his  journey  had,  in  a 
very  singular  manner,  led  him  to  gain 
much  of  tha,t  sort  of  knowledge 
which  the  Lords  of  the  Congregation 
thirsted  for ;  and,  second,  he  had  no 
doubt  that  Winterton  was  in  pursuit 
of  him  to  Kilmarnock,  for  some  pur- 
pose of  frustration  or  circumvention, 
the  which,  though  he  was  not  able 
to  divine,  he  could  not  but  consider 
important,  if  it  was,  as  he  thought, 
the  prime  motive  of  that  varlet's 
journey. 

But  he  was  chiefly  disposed  to  pre- 
fer the  Kilwinning  road,  though  it 
was  several  miles  more  of  bout-gait, 
on  account  of  the  rich  abbacy  in  that 
town ;  hoping  he  might  glean  and 
gather  some  account  how  the  clergy 
tliere  stood  affected,  the  mcetinc' 
with  Dominick  Callcnder  havJiig  af- 
forded him  a   vista  of   friends   and 


auxiliaries  in  the  enemy's  camp  little 
thought  of.  Besides  all  this,  he  re- 
flected, tliat  as  it  was  of  con.«oquence 
lie  should  reach  the  Lord  Boyd  in 
secrecy,  ho  would  be  more  likely  to 
do  so  by  stopping  at  Kilwinning,  and 
feeing  some  one  there  to  guide  him  to 
the  Dean  castle  by  moonlight.  I  have 
heard  him  say,  iiowever,  tlie  speakable 
motives  of  his  deviation  from  the 
straight  road  wore  at  the  time  far  less 
effectual  in  movin^T  hi;n  thereto,  than  a 
something  wl; .  'i  h  dd  not  tell,  that 
with  an  invisi'      ;  .ook  his  horse 

as  it  were  by  the  bridle-rings,  and 
constrained  him  to  go  into  the  Kil- 
winning track.  In  the  whole  of  this 
journey  there  was  indeed  a  very  ex- 
traordinary manifestation  of  a  special 
providence,  not  only  in  the  protection 
vouchsafed  towards  himself,  but  in  tiie 
remarkable  accidents  and  occurrences, 
by  which  he  was  enabled  to  enrich 
himself  with  the  knowledge  so  precious 
at  that  time  to  those  who  were  chosen 
to  Avork  the  great  work  of  the  Gospel 
in  Scotland. 

As  my  grandfather  came  in  .Sight 
of  Kilwinning,  and  belicld  tl'C-  a'.)bey 


with  its  lofty  horned  towers 


•iia 


pinnacles,  and  the  sands  u. 
ham  between  it  and  the  s 
to  him  as  if  a  huge  leviai.  .."•  •  td 
come  up  from  the  depths  of  the  >•  jmi 
and  was  devouring  the  green  inland, 
having  already  consumed  all  the  herb- 
age of  the  wide  waste  that  lay  so  baro 
and  yellow  for  many  a  mile,  desert 
and  lonely  in  the  silent  stuishine,  and 
he  ejaculated  to  himself,  that  the 
frugal  soil  of  poor  Scotland  could 
ne'er  have  been  designed  to  pasture 
such  enormities. 

As  he  rode  on,  liis  ;  i.i;  descended 
from  the  heights  into  pi'  •,.  '  t  t-'achs, 
along  banks  feathered  Avita  vhc  frag- 
rant plumage  of  the  birch  and  liazel, 
and  lie  "orgot,  in  hearkening  to  the 
cheerlui  prattle  of  the  Garnock  waters, 
as  thivv  :  wirled  among  the  pebble  i  by 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


41 


the  road  side,  the  pngeantries  of  that 
more  bodily  Avorship  Avhich  had  worked 
oil  tlic  ignorance  of  the  world  to  raise 
sucli  costly  monuments  of  the  long- 
snffering  patience  of  Ilccaven,  while 
they  showed  how  much  the  divine 
nature  of  the  infinite  God,  and  tlie 
humility  of  His  eternal  Son,  had  been 
forgotten  in  this  land  among  profes- 
sing Christians. 

When  he  came  nigh  the  town,  he 
inquired  for  an  hostel,  and  a  stripling, 
the  miller's  son.  who  was  throwing 
stones  at  a  Hock  of  geese  belonging 
to  the  abbey,  then  taking  their  plea- 
sures uninvited  in  his  father's  mill- 
dam,  guided  hira  to  the  house  of 
Tlu'ophilu.s  Lugton,  the  chief  vintner, 
horse-setter,  and  stabler,  in  the  town; 
Avhere,  on  alighting,  he  was  very  kindly 
received  ;  for  the  gudewife  was  of  a 
stirring,  household  nature,  audThco- 
])liilii,s  himself,  albeit  douce  and  tem- 
])erate  for  a  publican,  was  a  man  ob- 
liging and  liosjiitable,  not  only  aa 
boeame  him  in  his  trade,  but  from  a 
disinterested  good-will.  He  was  in- 
deed, as  my  grandfather  came  after- 
wards to  know,  really  a  person  holden 
in  great  respect  and  repute  by  the 
visitors  and  pilgrims  who  resorted  to 
the  abbe",  and  by  none  more  than  by 
the  worthy  wives  of  Irvine,  the  most 
regular  of  his  customers.  For  they 
being  then  in  the  darkness  of  pa])istry, 
were  as  much  given  to  the  idolatry  of 
holidays  and  masses,  as,  thanks  be  and 
praise !  they  are  now  to  the  hunting 
out  of  sound  gospel  preachers  and 
sacramental  occasions.  Many  a  stoup 
of  burned  wine  and  spiced  ale  they 
were  wont,  at  I'ace  and  Yule,  and 
otlier  pai)istical  high  times,  to  partake 
of  togctiu'r  in  the  house  of  Thcojihi- 
liis  Lugton,  happy  and  well  content 
when  their  possets  were  flavoured 
Avith  the  ghostly  conversation  of 
some  gawsie  monk,  well  versed  in 
the  mysteries  of  reciuiems  and  pur- 
gatory. 


Having  parted  with  his  horse  to  be 
taken  to  the  stable  by  Theophilus 
himself,  my  grandfather  walked  into 
the  house,  and  Dame  Lugton  set  for 
him  an  elbow  chair  by  the  chimla  lug, 
and  while  she  was  preparing  some- 
thing for  a  repast,  they  fell  into  con- 
versation, in  the  course  of  which  she 
informed  him  that  a  messenger  had 
come  to  the  abbey  that  forenoon  from 
Edinburgh,  and  a  rumour  had  been 
bruited  about  soon  after  his  arrival, 
that  there  was  great  cause  to  dread  a 
rising  among  the  heretics  ;  for,  being 
ingrained  with  papistry,  she  so  spoke 
of  the  Reformers. 

This  news  troubled  my  grand- 
father not  a  little,  and  the  more  he 
inciuiri'd  concerning  the  tidings,  the 
more  reason  he  got  to  be  alrraed, 
and  to  suspect  that  the  bearer  was 
Winterton,  who  being  still  in  the 
town,  and  then  at  the  abbey — hia 
horse  was  in  Theophilus  Lugton'a 
stable — he  could  not  but  think,  that, 
in  coming  to  Kilwinning  instead  of 
going  riglit  on  to  Kilmarnock,  he  had 
run  into  the  lion's  mouth.  Ikit,  see- 
ing it  was  so,  and  could  not  be  helped, 
he  put  his  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  re- 
solved to  swerve  in  no  point  from 
the  straight  line  which  he  had  laid 
down  for  himself. 

While  he  was  eating  of  Dame 
Lugton's  fare,  with  the  relishing  sauce 
of  a  keen  appetite,  in  a  manner  that 
no  one  who  saw  him  could  have  sup- 
posed he  was  almost  sick  with  a  sur- 
feit of  anxieties,  one  James  Coom,  a 
smith,  came  in  for  a  mutclikin-cap  of 
ale,  and  he.  .seeing  a  traveller,  said — 

"  Tiiir's  sair  news  !  '1  he  drouth  of 
cauld  iron  will  be  slockened  in  men's 
blood  ere  we  hear  the  end  o't." 

'•'Deed,"  re]ilied  my  grandfather, 
"  it's  very  alarming;  Lucky,  here,  has 
just  been  telling  me  that  there's  like 
to  be  a  straemash  amang  the  Re- 
formers. (Surely  they'll  ne'er  daur  to 
rebel." 


42 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


"  If  a'  tales  be  true,  that's  no  to 
do,"  said  the  smith,  blowing  the  froth 
from  the  cap  ip  which  Dame  Lugjtoii 
banded  him  the  ale,  and  taking  a  right 
good-willy  waught. 

"  But  what's  said?  "  inquired  my 
grandfather,  when  the  smith  had 
fetched  his  breath. 

"  Naebody  can  wcel  tell,"  was  his 
\se;  "  a' that's  come  this  length 
jj  i,  the  sough  afore  the  storm. 
WiLuin  twa  hours  there  has  been  a 
great  riding  liither  and  yon,  and  a  lad 
straight  frae  Embro'  has  come  to  bid 
my  Lord  Abbot  repair  to  the  court ; 
and  three  chiels  hae  been  at  me  frae 
EgHnton  Castle,  to  get  their  beasts 
shod  for  a  journey.  My  Lord  there  is 
byte  and  fykie ;  there's  a  gale  in  his 
tail,  said  they,  light  where  it  may. 
Now,  at  ween  oursels,  my  Lord  has  na 
the  lieart  of  a  true  bairn  to  that  aged 
and  wdrthy  grannie  of  the  papistry, 
ourleddy  the  Virgin  Mary — here's  her 
health,  poorauld  deaf  and  dund)  crea- 
ture— she  has  na,  I  doubt,  the  pith  to 
warsle  wi'  the  blast  she  auce  in  a  day 
had  " 

"  Hand  that  heretical  tongue  o' 
thine,  Jamie  Coom,"  exclaimed  Dame 
Lugton.  "  It's  enougli  to  gar  a  body's 
hair  stand  on  end  to  hear  o'  your 
familiaritii'S  wi'  tiie  Holy  Virgin.  I 
won'er  my  Lord  Abbot  has  na  lang- 
sync  tethert  tliy  tongue  to  the  Kirk- 
door  wi'  a  red-het  nail,  for  sic  blas- 
phemy. But  fools  are  privileged,  and 
eo's  seen  o'  thee." 

"  And  wha  made  me  familiar  wi' 
her.  Dame  Lugton — tell  me  that  ?  " 
replied  .James;  "wnsnait  my  Lord 
liimsel,  at  last  Marymas,  when  he  .sent 
for  nie  to  make  a  hoop  to  mend  her 
leg  that  nklinterod  aff  as  they  were 
dressing  her  for  the  show.  Eh  !  litlle 
did  I  think  that  I  was  ever  to  hae  the 
honour  and  glory  of  ca'ing  a  nailintil 
the  timber  image  o'  the  Virgin  Mary ! 
Ah,  Lucky,  ye  would  na  hae  tholed  the 
dirl  0'  the  dints  o'  my  hammer  as  she 


did.     But  she's  a  saint,  and  ye'll  ne'er 
deny  that  ye'rc  a  sinner." 

To  tliis  Dame  Lugton  was  unable 
to  reply,  and  the  smith,  cunningly 
winking,  dippet  his  head  up  to  the 
lugs  in  the  ale-cap. 

"But,"  said  my  grandfather,  "  no 
to  speak  wi'  disre.^peck  of  things  con- 
sidered wi'  reverence,  it  does  na  seem 
to  me  that  there  is  ouy  cause  to  think 
the  Reformers  hae  yet  rebelled." 

"  I'm  sure,"  replied  the  smith,  '•  if 
they  hae  na,  they  ought,  or  the  de'il  a 
spunk's  amang  them.  Isna  a'  the 
monks,  frae  John  o'  Groat's  to  the 
Border,  getting  ready  their  spits  and 
rackses,  fryingpans  and  branders,  to 
cook  them  like  capons  and  doos  for 
Horney's  supper?  I  never  hear  my 
ain  bellows  snoring  at  a  gaud  o'  iron 
in  the  fire,  but  I  think  o'  fat  Father 
Lickladle,  the  abbey's  head  kitchener, 
roasting  me  o'er  the  low  like  a  laverock 
in  his  collop-tangs ;  for,  as  Dame 
Lugton  there  weei  kens,  I'm  ane  o"  the 
Ket'ormed.  Meh!  but  it's  a  braw 
tiling  this  Reformation.  It  used  to 
cost  me  as  muekle  siller  for  the  sin  o' 
getting  fu',  no  aboon  three  or  four 
times  in  the  year,  as  would  hae  kept 
ony  honest  man  blithe  and  ree  frae 
New'cr.sday  to  Ilogmanas ;  but  our 
worthy  hostess  has  found  tj  her  profit 
that  I'm  now  ane  of  iier  best  cus- 
tomers.    What  say  ye.  Lucky  ?  " 

"  Truly, "  said  Dame  JjUgton, 
laugliing,  "thou'snoan  ill  .swatch  o' 
the  Reformers ;  and  naebody  need 
be  surprised  at  the  growth  o'  heresy 
wha  thiidcs  o'  the  dreadfu'  cost  the 
professors  o't  used  to  be  at  for  par- 
dons. But  maybe  they'll  soon  find 
that  the  de'il's  as  hard  a  taxer  as  e'er 
the  kirk  was  ;  for  ever  since  thou  has 
refinint  frae  paying  penance,  thy 
weekly  calks  ahint  the  door  hae  been 
on  the  increase,  Jamie,  and  no  ae 
plack  has  thou  mair  to  spare.  So 
nuickle  gude  thy  reforming  has  done 
thee." 


niNGAN  GiLHAIZE. 


43 


the 
cap, 


"  Bido  awce,  Lucky,"  cried 
emith,  setting  down  the  ale 
whicJi  ho  had  just  emptied,  "bide 
awee,  and  ye'll  see  a  change.  Surely 
it  was  to  be  expecket,  considering  tlie 
spark  in  my  bass,  tliat  the  first  use 
I  would  niak  o'  the  freedom  o'  the 
Reformation  would  be  to  quench  it, 
which  1  never  was  allowed  to  do 
afore  ;  and  whenever  that's  done,  ye'll 
see  me  a  geizen't  keg  o'  sobriety, — tak 
the  word  o'  a  drouthy  smith  for't." 

At  this  jink  o'  their  controversy, 
who  should  come  into  the  house, 
ringing  ben  to  the  hearth-stane  with 
his  iron  heels  and  the  rattling  rowels 
o'  bis  spurs,  but  Winterton,  without 
observing  ray  grandfather,  who  was 
then  sitting  with  his  back  to  the 
window-light,  in  the  arm-chair  at  the 
chimla  lug;  and  when  he  had  ordered 
Dame  Lugton  to  spice  him  a  drink  of 
her  best  brewing,  he  began  to  joke 
and  jibe  with  the  blacksmith ;  the 
which  allowing  my  grandfather  time 
to  compose  his  wits,  which  were  in  a 
degree  startled;  he  saw  that  Ik  ?ould 
not  but  be  discovered,  so  he  thought 
it  was  best  to  1  ring  himself  out. 
Accordingly,  in  as  quiet  a  manner  as 
he  was  able  to  put  on,  he  said  to 
Winterton — 

"  I  hae  a  notion  that  we  twa  hae 
forgathered  no  lang  sinccsyne." 

At  the  sound  of  these  words  Win- 
terton gave  a  loup,  as  if  he  had 
tramped  on  something  no  canny, 
syne  a  whirring  sort  of  triumphant 
whistle,  and  then  a  shout,  crying, 
"Ha,  ha!  tod  lowrie !  hae  I  yirded 
you  at  last?"  Kut  instantcr  he  re- 
collected himscl',  and  giving  my 
grandfather  a  significant  look,  as  if 
he  wished  him  no  to  be  particular,  he 
said,  "I  heard  o'  you,  Gilhaize,  on 
the  road,  and  I  was  fain  to  hae  come 
up  wi'  you,  that  we  might  hae  tra- 
velled thegither.  llowsever,  I  lost 
scent  at  Glasgow."  And  then  he 
continued  to  harer  with  him,  till  the 


ale  Avas  ready,  when  he  pressed  my 
grandfather  to  taste,  never  letting 
wot  how  they  had  slept  together  in 
the  same  bed  ;  and  my  grandfather, 
on  his  part,  was  no  less  eiicumsjject, 
for  he  discerned  that  Winterton  in- 
tended to  come  over  him,  and  he  was 
resolved  to  be  on  his  guard. 

When  Winterton  had  finished  his 
drink,  which  ho  did  hastily,  he  pro- 
posed to  my  grandfatlier  that  they 
should  take  a  stroll  through  the  town ; 
and  my  grandfather  being  eager  to 
throw  stour  in  his  eyes,  was  readily 
consenting  thereto. 

''AVcel,"  said  the  knave,  when  he 
had  warily  led  him  into  the  abbey 
kirk-yard,  "  I  did  na  think  ye  would 
hae  gane  back  to  my  Lord  ;  but  i.'s  a* 
very  weel,  since  he  has  looked  o'er 
what's  past,  and  gi'eu  you  a  new 
dark." 

"  He's  very  indulgent,'  replied  my 
grandfather,  "  and  1  would  he  loath 
to  wrang  so  kind  a  master  ;  "  and  ho 
looked  at  Winterton  ;  the  varlet, 
however,  never  winced,  but  rejoined 
lightly. - 

"  But  I  wisli  you  had  come  back  to 
Widow  Kippet's,  for  ye  would  liae 
spar't  me  a  hanl  ride.  Scarcely  had 
ye  ta'cn  the  road  when  my  Lord  niindit 
that  he  had  neglekit  to  gie  you  the 
sign,  by  the  which  ye  were  to  make 
yoursel  and  message  kent  to  his 
friends,  and  I  was  sent  after  to  tell 

you." 

"  I'm  glad  o'  that,"  replied  my 
grandfather,  "what  is't?"  Winter- 
ton  was  a  thought  molested  by 
this  thrust  of  a  question,  and  for  the 
space  of  about  a  minute  said  nothing, 
till  he  had  considered  with  himself, 
when  he  rejoined — 

"  Three  lads  were  sent  off  about 
the  same  time  wi'  you,  and  tlie  Earl 
was  nae  quite  sure,  he  said,  whilk  of 
you  a'  he  had  forgotten  to  gie  the 
token  whereby  ye  would  be  known  as 
his  men.    But  the  sign  for  the  Earl  of 


44 


RIXGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


Eglinton,  to  whom  I  guess  ye  Iiao  been 
sent,  by  coming  to  Kilwinning,  is  no 
the  same  as  for  the  Lord  lioyd,  to 
whom  I  thouglit  ye  had  been  mis- 
sioned ;  for  I  hno  been  at  the  Dean 
Castio,  and  finding  you  not  there, 
followed  you  hitlier." 

"  I'll  be  jilain  wi'  you,"  said  my 
grandfather  to  this  dr.aughty  speech. 
"  I'm  bound  to  the  Lord  I5oyd ;  but 
coming  through  Paisley,  when  I 
reached  the  place  where  the  twa  roads 
branched,  I  took  the  ane  that  brought 
me  here  instead  of  the  gate  to  Kil- 
marnock ;  so,  as  soon  as  my  beast  has 
eaten  his  corn,  I  mean  to  double  back 
to  the  Dean  Castle." 

*'  How,  in  the  name  of  the  saints 
and  souls,  did  yc  think,  in  going  frae 
Glasgow  to  Kilmarnock,  o'  taking  the 
road  to  Paisley?  " 

"  'Deed,  an'  ye  were  acquaint, "said 
my  grandfather,  "  wi'  how  little  I 
knew  o'  the  country,  ye  would  nae 
Bpeir  that  question ;  but  since  we  hao 
fallen  in  thogither,  and  are  baith,  ye 
ken,  in  my  Lord  Glencairn's  service,  I 
liope  ye'U  no  objek  to  ride  back  v;i' 
me  to  the  Lord  Boyd's." 

"  Then  it's  no  you  that  was  sent  to 
the  Earl  of  Eglinton?"  exclaimed 
Wintorton,  pretending  more  surprise 
than  he  felt ;  "  and  all  my  journey  has 
been  for  naething.  llowsever,  I'll 
go  back  wi'  you  to  Kilmarnock,  and 
the  sooner  we  gang  the  better." 

Little  fartherdiscoursethen  passed, 
for  they  returned  to  the  hostel,  and 
ordering  out  their  horses,  were  soon 
on  tlie  road ;  and  as  they  trotted 
along,  AVinterton  was  overly  out- 
spoken against  the  papisticals,  calling 
them  all  kind.^  of  ill  names,  Jind  no 
sparing  tlie  Queen  Regent.  But  my 
grandfather  kept  a  calm  tongue,  and 
made  no  reflections. 

"  llowsever,"  said  AVinterton, 
pulling  up  his  bridle,  and  walking 
ins  horse,  as  tliey  were  skirting  the 
moor  of  Irvine,  leaving  the  town  about 


a  mile  off  on  the  right,  "you  and  me, 
(Jilhaize,  that  are  but  servants,  need 
nao  fash  our  heads  wi'  sic  things. 
'J'he  wyte  o'  wars  lie  at  the  doors  of 
kings,  and  the  soldiers  are  free  o'  the 
sin  o'  them.  But  how  will  ye  get  into 
the  presence  and  confidence  of  the 
Lord  Boyd?" 

"I  thought,"  replied  my  grand- 
father pawkily  "that  ye  had  gotten 
our  master's  token  ;  and  I  maun  trust 
to  you." 

"  O,"  cried  Winterton,  "I  got  but 
the  ane  for  the  lad  sent  to  Eglinton 
Castle." 

"And  ha'c  ye  been  there?"  said 
my  grandfather. 

Winterton  didna  let  wot  that  ho 
heard  this,  but  stooping  over  on  the 
off  side  of  his  horse,  pretended  he  was 
righting  something  about  his  stirrup- 
leather.  ]\Iy  grandfather  wfis,  how- 
ever, resolved  to  probe  him  to  the 
quick  ;  so,  when  he  was  again  sitting 
U[)riglit,  he  repeated  the  question,  if 
he  had  been  to  Eglinton  Castle. 

"  O.  ay,"  cried  the  false  loon ;  "  I 
was  there,  but  the  bird  was  flown." 

"And  how  got  he  the  ear  of  the 
Earl,"  said  my  grandfather,  "not 
having  the  sign?  " 

In  for  a  penny  in  for  a  pound,  was 
Winterton's  motto,  and  ae  lie  with 
him  was  father  to  a  race.  "  Luokily 
for  him,"  replied  he,  "some  of  the 
serving-men  kent  him  as  being  in 
Glencairn's  service,  so  they  took  him 
to  their  master." 

My  grandfather  had  no  doubt  that 
there  Avas  some  truth  in  tliis,  though 
lie  was  sure  "Winterton  knew  little 
.about  it;  for  it  agreed  with  what.Tames 
('oom,  the  smith,  had  said  about  the 
lads  from  Eglinton  that  had  been  at 
liis  sniiddy  to  get  the  horses  shod,  and 
rcnuniibering  the  leathern  purses  under 
the  Earl  his  master's  pillow,  he  was 
persuaded  that  there  had  been  a  mes- 
senger sent  to  the  head  of  the  Mont- 
gomeries,  and  likewise  to  other  lords, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


45 


friends  of  the  Congi'cpiition ;  but  he 
saw  tliat  AViiittTtou  wont  by  guess, 
and  lied  at  raudcnn.  Still,  though  not 
affecting  to  notice  it,  nor  expressing 
any  distrust,  lie  could  not  help  saying 
to  him,  that  he  had  oonu'  a  long  way, 
and  after  all  it  looked  like  a  gowk's 
errand. 

The  remark,  however,  only  served 
to  give  Wintertou  inward  satisfaction, 
and  he  replied  with  a  laugh,  tliat  it 
made  little  odds  to  him  where  he  was 
sent,  and  that  he'd  as  lief  ride  in  Ayr- 
siiire  as  sorn  about  the  causey  of  Kn- 
brongh. 

In  this  sort  of  talk  and  conference 
they  rode  on  together,  the  o'ercome 
now  and  then  of  Winterton's  discourse 
being  concerning  the  proof  my  grand- 
fatiier  carried  with  him,  whereby  the 
Lord  Poyd  would  know  he  was  one 
of  (ilencairn's  men.  But,  notwith- 
standing all  his  wiles  and  devices  to 
howk  tlie  secret  out  of  him,  his  drift 
being  so  clearly  discerned,  my  grand- 
father was  enabled  to  play  with  him 
till  they  were  arrived  at  Kilmarnock, 
where  Wintertou  proposed  to  stop  till 
he  had  delivered  his  message  to  the 
Lord  lioyd  at  the  Dean  Castle. 

"  That  surely  cannot  be,"  replied 
my  grandfather;  "  for  ye  ken,  as  there 
has  been  some  niistak  about  the  eign 
whereby  I  am  to  make  myself  known, 
ye'll  ha'e  to  come  wi'  me  to  expound, 
in  case  of  need.  In  trooth,  now  that 
we  hae  forgatherit,  and  as  I  ha'e  but 
this  ae  message  to  a'  the  shire  of  Ayr, 
I  would  fain  ha'e  your  company  till  I 
see  t!ie  upshot." 

Wintertou  could  not  very  easily 
make  a  refusal  to  this,  but  he  hesitated 
and  swilhered,  till  my  grandfather 
urged  him  again ; — when  seeing  no 
help  for  it,  and  his  companion,  as  he 
thought,  entertaining  no  suspicion  of 
him,  he  put  on  a  bold  face  and  went 
forward. 

When  they  had  come  to  the  Dean 
Castle,  which  stands  in  a  pleasant 


green  park  about  a  mile  aboon  the 
town-head  of  Kilmarnock,  on  enter- 
ing the  gate,  my  grandfather  hastily 
alighted,  and  giving  his  horse  a  sharp 
prick  of  his  spur  as  he  lap  off,  the 
beast  ran  capering  out  of  his  hand, 
round  the  court  of  the  castle. 

With  tlie  well-feigned  voice  of 
great  anxiefy,  my  grandfather  cried  to 
the  servants  to  shut  the  gate  and  keep 
it  in  ;  and  Wintertou  alighting,  ran  to 
catch  it,  giving  his  own  horse  to  a 
stripling  to  hold.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment, however,  my  grandfather 
sprung  upon  him,  and  seizing  him  by 
the  throat,  cried  out  for  help  to  master 
a  spy. 

Winterton  was  so  confounded  that 
he  gasped,  and  looked  round  like  a 
man  dimented  ;  and  my  grandfather 
ordered  him  to  be  taken  by  the 
serving-men  to  their  master,  before 
whom,  when  they  were  all  come,  ho 
recounted  the  story  of  his  adventures 
with  the  prisoner,  telling  his  Lordship 
what  his  master,  the  Earl  of  Glen- 
cairn,  suspected  of  him.  To  which, 
when  Wintertou  was  asked  what  he 
had  to  say,  he  replied  bravely,  that  it 
was  all  true,  and  he  was  none  ashamed 
to  be  so  catched,  when  it  was  done  by 
so  clever  a  fellow. 

He  was  then  ordered  by  the  Lord 
Boyd  to  be  immured  in  the  dungeon- 
room,  the  which  may  be  seen  to  this 
day ;  and  though  his  captivity  was 
afterwards  somewhat  relaxed,  he  was 
kept  a  prisoner  in  the  castle  till  after  the 
death  of  the  Queen  Dowager,  and  the 
breaking  up  of  her  two-faced  councils. 
This  ex])loit  won  my  grandfather 
great  favour,  and  he  scarcely  needed 
to  show  the  signet-ring  when  he  told 
his  message  from  the  Lords  of  the 
Congregation. 


46 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

By  such  devices  and  missions,  as  my 
grandfather  was  engaged  in  for  the 
Earl  Glencairn  with  the  Lord  Boyd, 
a  thorough  understanding  was  con- 
certed among  the  lleformed  through- 
out the  kingdom  ;  and  encouraged 
by  their  great  strength  aud  numbers, 
which  far  exceeded  wliat  was  expected, 
the  Lords  of  the  Congregation  set 
themselves  roundly  to  work,  and  the 
Protestant  preachers  openly  published 
their  doctrines. 

Soon  after  my  grandfather  had  re- 
turned from  the  shire  of  Ayr,  there 
was  a  weighty  consultation  held  at  the 
Earl  his  patron's  lodging  in  Edin- 
burgh, whereat,  among  others  pre- 
sent, was  that  pious  youth,  after- 
wards the  good  Regent  Murray.  He 
w^as  by  office  and  appointment  then 
the  head  and  lord  of  the  priory  of  St 
Andrews ;  but  his  soul  cleaving  to 
the  Reformation  and  the  Gospel,  he 
laid  down  the  use  of  that  title,  and 
about  tljis  time  began  to  be  called 
the  Lord  James  Stuart. 

The  Lords  of  the  Congregation, 
feeling  themselves  strong  in  the  good- 
ness of  their  cause  aud  the  number  of 
their  adherents,  resolved  at  this  Coun- 
cil that  they  should  proceed  firmly  but 
considerately  to  work,  and  seek  re- 
dress as  became  true  lieges,  by  reprc- 
eentation  aud  supplication.  Accord- 
ingly a  paper  was  drawn  up,  wherein 
tiiey  set  forth  how,  for  conscience 
Bake,  the  Pfformed  had  been  long 
afflicted  witli  banishment,  confiscation 
of  goods,  and  death  in  its  crudest 
forms ;  that  continual  fears  darkened 
their  lives,  till,  being  no  longer  able 
to  endure  such  calamities,  they  were 
compelled  to  beg  a  remedy  against  the 
oppressions  and  tyranny  of  tiie  Estate 
Ecclesiastical,  which  had  tisurped  an 
unlimited  domination  over  the  minds 
of  men, — the  faggot  and  the  sword 
being  the  weapons  which  the  prelates 


employed  to  enforce  llieiir  ccm-lates, 
— plain  truths  that  wtTf  nisnH  openly 
stilted  in  order  to  tli-aw  Btia,*  the 
suppliants  wre  Kiiiowf:  ain<l  they 
concluded  with  a  dtacuumiidl  nhat  tiie 
original  purity  of  the  CiiumrLiin  re- 
ligion should  be  reBi.Oii't:iil  and  the 
government  so  improT^d  ;Jti  Co  aJi'ord 
them  security  in  thdx  jiar»DOST  opin- 
ions, aud  projierty. 

Sir  James  Calder  c-if  Suidilanda 
was  the  person  chosen  i<'.»  ftitseat  this 
memorial  to  the  Qut-tn  Utt-jy^sit ;  and 
never,  said  my  gi-ajjdiniiiiutir.  was  an 
agent  more  fitly  cLosei;  n.o.  rapfaol  I  the 
dignity  of  his  trust,  or  to  jprrsi^rve  the 
respect  which,  as  good  iijib'jii-cts,  the 
Reformed  desired  to  imMm."a.ia  and 
manifest  towards  the  anaifliKOTtry  ri-gal. 
He  was  a  man  far  ndrantptii  in  life  ; 
but  there  was  none  of  JJbt-  imfirmitifS 
of  age  under  the  Teii«njilbilte  titerior 
with  which  time  had  dloifilwfi  hia  ap- 
pearance. Of  gr<:;at  JLcHLioijar  and  a 
pure  life,  he  was  n'T«rHiiij.:viti  by  all 
parties,  and  had  ;icquirtid  iiD«ii  renown 
and  affection,  tlirourrb  Im  mTiiceH  to 
the  realm  and  his  miiuifold  Tcrtufs. 

On  a  day  appointed  W  tht  Quet^n 
Regent,  the  Lords  ai>d  fea'Reirs  of  the 
Congregation  attend-wS  Smdiland.-*, 
each  with  a  stately  ri'mmnrt',  ao-  U(jly- 
rood  House;  luy  graudijuBuir  having 
leave  from  the  EarL  liat  Kuater,  to 
wait  on  his  person  om  ihna  (0«t?a.-i->n. 

It  was  a  solemn  daj  ti*  ahe  wor- 
shippers of  the  true  Gic»d.  wko  eanie 
in  great  multitudee  t.o4ft»eiii5''sra,m;iny 
from  distant  parts,  io  ht  jne^^tnt,  nnd 
to  hear  tlie  Issie  of  a  co>;  i-n-c.-i-  that 
was  to  give  libeiiy  to  lii';  .ci/B.-iinonc'  3 
of  all  devout  Scotch n^^-c;.  From  the 
house  in  the  Lawnmiottn,  where  the 
Jjords  assembled,  dovm  tiiO)  the  very 
yetts  of  the  palace,  iht  HiiA:  w.iaa.s  if 
the  street  had  been  jiaxtid  wirh  faoes  ; 
and  windows  over  wJD.<iciW3^  soofa  and 
linn-lieads,  were clusUT.'d  wTP,h  women 
and  children.  All  teinjuoaai  earea  and 
I  businesses  were  that  ■dsf  inapended. 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


47 


In  the  accents  and  voices  of  men  there 
Viis  an  awful  sobriety,  few  epeakini; ; 
andAvhatwas  said  sounded  as  if  every 
one  Avaa  affected  with  the  sense  of 
some  high  and  everlasting  interest  at 
stake. 

When  the  Lords  went  down  into 
the  street,  there  was,  for  a  brief  in- 
terval, .1  stir  and  a  murmur  in  the 
multitude,  which  opened  to  the  right 
and  left  as  when  the  waves  of  the  Ited 
Sea  were  opened,  and  through  the 
midst  thereof  prepared  a  miraculous 
road  for  the  children  of  Israel.  A 
deep  silence  succeeded,  and  iSandi- 
landsjwith  his  hoary  head  uncovered, 
bearing  in  his  hand  the  supplication 
and  remonstrance,  walked  forward, 
and  the  Lords  went  after  also  all 
bare-headed,  and  every  one  with  them 
fullowed  in  like  manner,  as  reveren- 
tially as  their  masters.  The  people, 
as  tliey  pnsacd  alonir.  slowdy  and  de- 
voutly, took  off  their  caps  and  bonnets, 
and  bowed  their  hea(ls  as  when  the 
aik  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  was 
of  old  brought  back  from  the  Phili- 
slines  ;  and  many  wej)t,  and  others 
]iTayed  aloud,  and  there  was  wonder, 
iind  awe,  and  dread,  mingled  with 
thoughts  of  unspeakable  confidence 
and  glory. 

"NVhen  Sandilands  and  those  with 
him  were  conducted  into  the  presence 
of  tlie  Queen-dowager,  she  was 
.standing  under  a  canopy  of  state, 
surrounded  by  many  of  the  nobles 
.•uid  prelates,  and  by  her  maidens  of 
honour.  ]\Iy  grandfather  had  not 
seen  her  before,  and  having  often 
heard  her  suspected  of  double  dealing, 
and  of  a  superstitious  zeal  and  affec- 
tion for  the  ]i;ijial  abominations  and 
cruelties,  he  had  pictured  to  himself  a 
loan  aiul  liaggard  woman,  with  a  pale 
and  fierce  countenance,  and  was 
tlicrefore  greatly  amazed  Avhen  he 
I'l'held  a  laily  of  a  most  sweet  and 
gracious  aspect,  with  mild  dark  eyes 
beaming  with  a  chaste  dignity,  and  a 


high  and  fair  forehead,  bright  and 
unwrinkled  with  any  care,  and  lips 
formed  to  speak  soft  and  gentle 
sentences.  In  her  apparel  she  wag 
less  gay  than  her  ladies,  but  neverthe- 
less she  was  more  queenly.  Her 
dress  and  mantle  were  of  the  richest 
purple  Genoese  unadorned  with  em- 
broidery, and  round  her  neck  she 
wore  a  ruff  of  fine  ermine  and  a 
string  of  princely  pearls:  a  small 
golden  cross  of  curious  graven  gold 
dangled  to  her  waist  from  a  loup  in 
the  vale  of  her  bosom. 

Sandilands  advanced  several  paces 
before  the  Lords  by  whom  he  was 
attended,  and  falling  on  his  knees, 
read  with  a  loud  and  firm  A^oice  the 
memorial  of  the  Keformed ;  and  when 
he  had  done  so  and  was  risen,  the 
Queen  received  a  paper  that  was 
given  to  her  by  her  secretary,  who 
stood  behind  her  right  shoulder,  and 
also  read  an  answer  which  liad  been 
prepared,  and  in  which  she  was  made 
to  deliver  many  comfortable  assur- 
ances, that  at  the  time  were  received 
a.s  a  great  boon  with  much  tlmnkful- 
ness  by  all  the  Keformed,  who  had 
too  soon  reason  to  prove  the  insin- 
cerity of  those  courtly  flatteries.  For 
no  steps  were  afterwards  taken  to 
give  those  indulgences  by  law  that 
were  promised ;  but  the  papists  stir- 
ring themselves  with  great  activity', 
and  foreij^n  matters  and  conceriis 
roniing  in  aid  of  their  stratagems, 
long  before  a  year  passed  the  mind 
of  the  Queen  and  Government  was 
fomented  into  hostility  against  the 
Protestants.  She  called  into  hei 
favour  and  councils  the  Archbishop  ol 
St  Andrews,  with  whom  she  had  been 
at  variance ;  and  the  devout  said, 
when  tiiey  heard  thereof,  that  wlu  n 
our  Saviour  was  condemned,  on  the 
same  day  Herod  and  Pilate  wore 
made  friends,  applying  the  text  to 
this  reconciliation  ;  and  boding  there- 
from woe  to  the  true  church.    Moved 


by  tlio  hatred  which  liia  Oraco  bon; 
to  the  llcfonnerd,  the  (iueon  cited 
the  Protestant  preachers  to  appear  at 
StirHng  to  auswer  to  the  charges 
which  might  tliorc  bo  preferred 
against  them. 

My  grandfather,  when  tin's  perfidy 
came  to  a  lioad,  was  at  Finlayston- 
houso,  in  tlio  sliiro  of  Renfrew,  with 
the  Earl,  his  master,  who,  when  lie 
lieard  of  such  a  breach  of  faitli,  smote 
the  table,  as  he  was  then  sitting  at 
dinner,  with  his  right  hand,  and  said, 
"Since  the  false  woman  has  done 
this,  there  is  nothing  for  us  but  the 
banner  and  the  blade  ;  "  and  starting 
from  his  seat  he  forthwith  ordered 
horses,  and,  attended  by  my  grand- 
father and  ten  armed  servants,  rode 
to  Glasgow,  where  Sir  Hugh  Camp- 
bell of  London,  then  sheriff  of  Ayr, 
and  other  worthies  of  the  time,  were 
assembled  on  business  before  the 
Lords  of  Justiciary ;  and  it  was  in- 
stanter  agreed,  that  they  should  forth- 
with proceed  to  Stirling  Avhere  the 
court  was,  and  remonstrate  with  the 
Queen.  So,  leaving  all  temporal 
concerns.  Sir  Hugh  took  horse,  and 
they  arrived  at  Stirling  about  the 
time  her  Highness  supped,  and  going 
straight  to  the  castle,  they  stood  in 
the  ante -chamber,  to  speak  if  possible 
with  her  as  she  passed. 

On  entering  the  room  to  pass  to 
her  table  she  saw  them,  and  looked 
somewhat  surprised  and  displeased ; 
but  without  saying  any  thing  par- 
ticular she  desired  the  Earl  to  follow 
her,  and  Sir  Hugh,  unbidden,  went 
also  into  the  banquet  room.  It  was 
seldom  that  she  used  state  in  her 
household,  and  on  this  occasion,  it 
being  a  popish  fast,  her  table  was 
frugally  spread,  and  only  herself  sat 
at  the  board. 

"  Well,  Glencairn,"  said  she,  "what 
has  brought  you  hither  from  the  west 
at  this  time  ?  Is  the  realm  to  be  for 
ever  tossed  like  the  sea  by  this  tem- 


pest of  heresies  ?  Tlio  royal  autliority 
is  not  always  to  be  insulted  witli  im- 
punity, and  in  spite  of  all  tiieir  friend-j 
the  Protestant  preachers  shall  be  ban- 
ished from  Scotland,  aye,  thougli  tlieir 
doctrines  were  as  sound  as  St  Paul's." 

The  Earl,  as  my  grandfather  heard 
hiui  afterwards  relate,  replied,  "  Your 
INIajesty  gave  your  royal  promise  tliat 
the  lleformed  should  be  protected, 
and  they  have  done  nothing  since  to 
cause  the  forfeiture  of  so  gracious  a 
boon  :  I  implore  your  Majesty  to  call 
that  sacred  pledge  to  mind." 

"  You  lack  reason,  my  lord,"  she 
cried,  sharply  ;  "it  becomes  not  sub- 
jects to  burden  their  princes  with  pro- 
mises which  it  may  be  inconvenient 
to  keep." 

"  If  these,  madam,  are  your  senti- 
ments," replied  the  Earl,  proudly, 
"  the  Congregation  can  no  longer  ac- 
knowledge your  authority,  and  must 
renounce  their  allegiance  to  your 
government." 

She  had,  at  the  moment,  lifted  the 
salt-celler  to  sprinkle  her  salad, — but 
she  was  so  astonished  at  tlie  boldness 
of  this  speech,  that  she  dropt  it  from 
her  hand,  and  the  salt  was  spilt  on  the 
floor — an  evil  omen,  which  all  present 
noted. 

"  My  Lord  Glencairn,"  said  she, 
thoughtfully,  "I  would  execute  my 
great  duties  honestly,  but  your  preach- 
ers trouble  the  waters,  and  I  know 
not  where  the  ford  lies  that  1  may 
safest  ride.  Go  ye  away  and  try  to 
keep  your  friends  quiet,  and  I  will 
consider  calmly  Avhat  is  best  to  be  done 
for  the  weal  of  all." 

At  these  words  the  Earl  and  Sir 
Hugh  Campbell  bowed,  and,  retiring, 
went  to  the  lodging  of  the  Earl  of 
Monteith,  where  they  were  mindet  to 
pass  the  night ;  but,  when  they  had 
consulted  with  that  nobleman,  my 
grandfather  was  ordered  to  provide 
himself  with  a  fresh  horse  from  Mon- 
teith's  stable,  and  to  set  out  for  Ediu- 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


49 


burgh  with  letters  for  the  Lord  James 
Stuart. 

"  Gilhaizo,"  said  his  master  as  he 
delivered  them,  "  I  foresee  we  must 
buckle  on  our  armour  ;  but  the  cause 
of  the  truth  does  not  require  that  the 
first  blow  should  come  from  our  side. 
By  this  time  John  Knox,  who  has  been 
long  expected,  may  bo  hourly  looked 
for ;  and  as  no  man  stands  higher  in 
tlie  aversion  of  the  papists  than  that 
brave,  honest  man,  we  shall  know,  by 
the  reception  ho  meets  with,  what  we 
ought  to  do." 

So  my  grandfather,  putting  the  let- 
ters in  his  bosom,  retired  from  the 
presence  of  the  Earl,  and  by  break  of 
day  reached  the  Westport,  and  went 
straight  on  to  the  Lord  James 
Stuart's  lodging  in  Canongate.  But, 
though  the  household  were  astir, 
it  was  some  time  before  he  got  ad- 
mittance ;  for  their  master  was  a 
young  man  of  great  method  in  all 
things,  and  his  chaplain  was  at  the 
time  reading  the  first  prayers  of  the 
morning,  during  which  the  doors  were 
shut,  and  no  one,  however  urgent 
his  business,  could  gain  admission 
into  that  house  while  the  inmates  were 
doing  their  homage  to  the  King  of 
kings. 

As  my  grandfather,  in  the  grey  of 
the  morning,  was  waiting  in  the 
Canongate  till  the  worship  was  over 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  James 
Stuart,  he  frequently  rode  up  and 
down  the  street  as  far  as  the  Lucken- 
booths  and  the  Abbey's  sanctuary 
siver,  and  his  mind  was  at  times 
smitten  with  the  remorse  of  pity,  when 
he  saw,  as  the  dawn  advanced,  the 
numbers  of  poor  labouring  men  that 
came  up  out  of  the  closes  and  gathered 
round  the  trone,  abiding  there  to  see 
who  would  come  to  hire  them  for  the 
day.  But  his  compassion  was  soon 
changed  into  a  frame  of  thankfulness, 
at  the  boundless  variety  of  mercies 
vhich  are  dealt  out  to  the  children  of 


Adam,  for  he  remarked,  that,  for  the 
most  part,  these  poor  men,  whoso 
sustenance  was  as  precarious  as  that 
of  the  wild  birds  of  tlio  air,  were 
cheerful  and  jocund,  many  of  them 
singing  and  whistling  as  blithely  as 
the  lark,  that  carries  the  sweet  incense 
of  her  melodious  songs  in  the  censer 
of  a  sinless  breast  to  the  golden  gates 
of  the  morning. 

Hitherto  he  had  never  noted,  or 
much  considered,  the  complicated 
cares  and  trials  wherewith  the  lot  of 
man  in  every  station  is  chequered  and 
environed ;  and  when  he  heard  those 
bondmen  of  hard  labour,  jocund  after 
sound  slumbers  and  light  suppers, 
laughing  contemptuously  as  they  be- 
held the  humiliating  sight,  which 
divers  gallants  and  youngsters,  court- 
iers of  the  court,  degraded  with  de- 
bauch, made  of  themselves  as  they 
stumbled  homeward,  he  thought  there 
was  surely  more  bliss  in  the  cup  that 
was  earned  by  the  constancy  of  health 
and  a  willing  mind,  than  in  all  the 
possets  and  malvesia  that  the  hoards 
of  ages  could  procure.  So  he  com- 
posed his  spirit,  and  inwardly  made  a 
vow  to  the  Lord,  that,  as  soon  as  the 
mighty  work  of  the  redemption  of  the 
Gospel  from  the  perdition  of  papistry 
was  accomplished,  he  would  retire  into 
the  lea  of  some  pleasant  green  holm, 
and  take,  fnr  the  purpose  of  his  life, 
the  attainm. ,  t  of  that  happy  simplicity 
which  seeks  but  the  supply  of  the  few 
wanta  with  which  man  comes  so  ricli 
from  the  hands  of  his  Maker,  that  all 
changes  in  his  natural  condition  of 
tilling  the  ground  and  herding  the 
flocks  only  serve  to  make  him  poorer 
by  increasing. 

While  he  was  thus  ruminating  in 
the  street,  he  observed  two  strangers 
coming  up  the  Canongate.  One  of 
them  had  the  appearance  of  a  servant, 
but  he  was  of  a  staider  and  more 
thoughtful  aspect  than  belongs  to 
men  of  that  degree,  only  he  bore  oa 


60 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


his  shoulder  a  willense,  and  had  in 
his  hand  a  small  packajje  wrapt  in  a 
woollen  cover  an<l  bucklnd  witli  a 
leathern  strap.  The  other  was  llic 
master ;  and  my  grandfather  halted 
his  horse  to  look  at  him  as  he  parsed, 
for  he  was  evidently  no  conmion  man 
nor  mean  personage,  though  in  stature 
he  was  jimp  the  ordinary  size.  lie 
was  bent  more  with  infirmities  than 
the  load  of  his  years.  His  hair  and 
long  flowing  beard  were  very  grey 
and  venerable,  like  those  of  the 
ancient  patriarchs  who  enjoyed  im- 
mediate communion  with  God.  But 
though  his  appearance  was  thus  aged, 
and  though  his  complexion  and 
countenance  betokened  a  frail  tene- 
ment, yet  the  brightness  of  youth 
shone  in  his  eyes,  and  they  were  lighted 
up  by  a  spirit  over  which  time  had  no 
power. 

In  his  steps  and  gait  he  was  a  little 
hasty  and  unsteady,  and  twice  or  tlirice 
he  was  obliged  to  pause  in  the  steep 
of  the  street  to  draw  his  breath  ;  but 
even  in  this  there  was  an  affecting  .ind 
great  earnestness,  a  working  of  a  liv- 
ing soul  within,  as  if  it  panted  to  enter 
on  the  performance  of  some  great  and 
solemn  hest. 

lie  seemed  to  be  eager  and  zealous 
like  the  apostle  Peter,  in  his  temper, 
and  as  dauntless  as  the  mighty  and 
courageous  Paul.  Many  in  the  street 
stopped  and  looked  after  him  witli 
reverence  and  marvelling  as  he  pro- 
ceeded with  quick  and  desultory  steps, 
followed  by  his  sedate  attendant.  !Nor 
was  it  surprising,  for  he  was,  indeed, 
one  of  those  who,  in  their  lives,  are 
vast  and  wonderful, — special  creations 
that  are  sent  down  from  heaven,  with 
authority  attested  by  the  glowing  ini- 
l)ress  of  the  signet  of  God  on  their 
hearts,  to  avenge  the  wrongs  done  to 
His  truths  and  laws  in  the  blasphemies 
of  the  earth. — It  was  John  Knox. 

When  he  had  passed,  my  grand- 
father rode  back  to  the  yett  cf  the  Lord 


James  Stuart's  lodgings,  whieli  by  this 
time  was  opened,  and  instanter,  on 
mentioning  to  the  porter  from  wlioni 
he  had  come,  was  admitted  to  his 
master. 

That  great  worthy  was  at  the  time 
sitting  alone  in  a  back  chamber,  which 
looked  towards  Salisbury  Crags,  and 
before  him,  but  on  tlie  opposite  side 
of  the  table,  among  divers  letters  and 
papers  of  business,  lay  a  largo  Bible, 
with  br^iss  clas]»8  thereon,  in  which  it 
would  seem,  some  one  had  been  ex- 
pounding to  him  a  poition  of  the 
Scriptures. 


Wiien  mygrar 
him  the  letter  fro 
cairn,  he  took  it 


ler  presented  to 
Earl  of  Glen- 
/iii  him  without 


nmch  regarding  him,  and  broke  open 
the  seal,  and  began  to  peruse  it  to 
himself  in  that  calm  and  methodical 
manner  for  which  he  was  so  famed  and 
remarkable.  Before,  however,  he  had 
read  above  the  half  thereof,  he  gave 
as  it  were  a  sudden  hitch,  and  turning 
round,  looked  my  grandfather  sharply 
in  the  face,  and  said, — 

'•  Are  you  Gilhaize?  " 

But  before  answer  could  be  made, 
ho  waved  his  hand  graciously,  point- 
ing to  a  chair,  and  desired  him  to  sit 
down,  resuming  at  the  same  time  tho 
perusal  of  the  letter ;  and  when  ho 
had  finished  it,  he  folded  it  up  for  a 
moment ;  but,  as  if  recollecting  him- 
self, he  soon  runkled  it  up  in  his  hand 
and  put  it  into  the  fire. 

"  Your  Lord  informs  me,"  said  ho, 
' '  that  he  has  all  confidence,  not  only 
in  your  honesty,  Gilhaize,  but  in  your 
discernment ;  and  says,  that  in  respect 
to  the  high  question  anent  Christ's 
cause,  you  may  bo  trusted  to  tho 
uttermost.  Truly,  for  so  young  a  man, 
tliis  is  an  exceeding  renown.  His  letter 
has  told  me  what  passed  last  night 
with  the  Queen's  Highness.  I  am 
grieved  to  hear  it ;  she  means  well ; 
but  her  feminine  fears  make  her 
hearken  to  counsels  that  may  cause 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


Bl 


tho  very  ovils  whereof  bIio  is  nfraiil. 
But  tlio  sincerity  of  her  fiivour  to  the 
Iluformed  will  soon  be  tried,  for  liitt 
nif^'ht  John  Knox  nrrived,  and  I  was 
Avith  Jiiin  ;  and,  strong  in  tho  nssur- 
ancea  of  his  faith,  he  intends  to  lead 
on  to  the  battle.  This  morning  he 
Avas  minded  to  depart  for  J-'ife. — '  Our 
Captain,  Christ  .lesus,'  said  he,  'and 
Satan,  His  adversary,  are  now  at  open 
defiance  ;  their  banners  are  displayed, 
and  the  trumpet  is  blown  on  both 
sides  for  assembling  their  armies.'  As 
soon  as  it  is  known  that  he  is  within 
the  kingdom,  wc  shall  learn  what  we 
may  expect,  and  that  presently  too  ; 
for  this  very  day  tiie  clergy  meet  in 
the  monastery  of  the  Greyfriars,  and 
doubtless  they  will  be  advertised  of 
his  coming.  You  liad  as  well  try  if 
you  can  gain  admittance  among  the 
other  auditors,  to  hear  their  delibera- 
tions ;  afterwards  come  again  to  me, 
and  report  what  takes  place  ;  by  that 
time  I  shall  bo  advised  whether  to 
send  you  back  to  Glencairn  or  else- 
where," 

My  grandfather,  after  this  and 
some  farther  discourse,  retired  to  the 
hall,  and  took  breakfast  with  the 
household,  where  he  was  much  edified 
with  the  douce  deportment  of  all 
present,  so  unlike  that  of  the  coarse 
and  graceless  varlets  who  rioted  in 
the  houses  of  the  other  nobles.  Verily, 
he  used  to  say,  the  evidences  of  a 
reforming  spirit  were  briglitly  seen 
there ;  and,  to  rule  every  one  into  a 
chaste  sobriety  of  conversation,  a 
pious  clerk  sate  at  the  head  of  the 
board,  and  said  grace  before  and  after 
the  meal,  making  it  manifest  how  much 
all  things  about  the  Lord  James  Stuart 
were  done  in  order. 

Having  taken  breakfast,  and  re- 
posed himself  some  time,  for  his  long 
ride  had  mixdo  him  very  weary,  he 
rose,  and,  changing  his  apparel,  went 
to  the  Greyfriars  church,  where  the 
clergy  were  assembling,  and  elbowing 


iiimself  gently  into  the  heart  of  the 
leople  waiting  around  for  admis-sion, 
le  got  in  with  tho  crowd  when  the 
doors  were  opened. 

'I'iie  matter  that  morning  to  be 
considered  concerned  the  means  to  be 
taken,  within  the  local  jurisdicitiotisof 
thofcc  there  nu-t,  to  enforce  the  pro- 
cess of  tiie  summons  which  had  been 
issued  against  the  reformed  preachers 
to  appear  at  Stirling. 

Hut  while  they  were  busily  con- 
versing and  contriving  how  best  to 
aid  and  further  that  iniquitous  aggres- 
Hion  of  peifidious  tyranny,  there  came 
in  one  of  the  brethren  of  the  monas- 
tery, with  a  frightened  look,  and  cried 
aloud,  that  John  Knox  was  come,  iu:d 
had  been  all  night  in  the  to%\n.  /.t 
the  news  the  spectators,  as  if  moved 
by  one  spirit,  gave  a  triumphant  sliout, 
— the  clergy  were  thunderstruck. — 
some  started  from  their  seats,  uncon- 
scious of  what  they  did, — others  threw 
themselves  back  wliere  they  sat, — and 
all  appeared  as  if  a  judgment  had  been 
pronounced  upon  them.  In  the  same 
moment  the  church  began  to  skail. — 
the  session  was  adjourned, — and  the 
people  ran  in  all  directions.  Tlie  cry 
rose  everywhere,  "  John  Knox  is 
come !  "  All  the  town  came  rushing 
into  tlie  streets, — tlie  old  and  the 
young,  the  lordly  and  the  lowly,  were 
seen  mingling  and  marvelling  to- 
gether,— all  tasks  of  duty,  and  servi- 
tude, and  pleasure,  were  forsaken, — 
the  sick-beds  of  the  dying  were  de- 
serted,— the  priests  cibandoned  their 
altars  and  masses,  and  stood  pale 
and  trembling  at  the  doors  of  their 
churclies, — mothers  set  down  their 
infants  on  the  floors,  and  ran  to  in- 
quire what  lind  come  to  pass, — fune- 
rals were  suspended,  and  the  impioua 
and  the  guilty  stood  aghast,  as  if  some 
dreadful  apocalypse  had  been  made, 
— travellers,  with  the  bridles  in  their 
hands,  lingering  in  profane  discourse 
with  their  hosts,  suddenly  mounted, 


52 


ETNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


and  speeded  into  the  country  with  the 
tidinfijs.  At  every  cottage  door  and 
wayside  bield,  the  inmates  stood  in 
clusters,  silent  and  wondering,  as 
horseman  came  following  horseman, 
crying,  "John  Knox  is  come  !"  Vessels 
that  had  departed,  when  they  heard 
the  news,  bore  up  to  tell  others  that 
they  saw  afar  at  sea.  The  shepherds 
were  called  in  from  the  hills ; — the 
warders  on  the  castle,  when,  at  the 
sound  of  many  quickened  feet  ap- 
proaching, they  challenged  the  comers, 
were  answered,  "John  Knox  is  come !" 
Studious  men  were  roused  from  the 
spells  of  their  books  ;— nuns,  at  their 
windows,  looked  out  fearful  and  in- 
quiring,— and  priests  and  friars  were 
seen  standing  by  themselves,  shunned 
like  lepers.  The  whole  land  was 
stirred  as  with  the  inspiration  of  some 
new  element,  and  the  hearts  of  the 
persecutors  wore  withered. 

"  No  tongue,"  often  said  my  grand- 
father, "  could  tell  the  sense  of  that 
great  event  through  all  the  bounds  of 
Scotland,  and  the  papistical  domina- 
tors  shrunk  as  if  they  had  suffered  in 
their  powers  and  principalities,  an 
awful  and  irremediable  overthrow." 

When  my  grandfather  left  the  Grey- 
friars,  he  went  to  the  lodging  of  the 
Lord  James  Stuart,  whom  he  found 
well  instructed  of  all  that  had  taken 
place,  whicli  he  much  marvelled  at, 
having  scarcely  tarried  by  the  wpy  in 
going  thither. 

"  Xow,  Gilhaize,"  said  my  Lord, 
"the  ti<liugs  fly  like  wildfire,  and  the 
Queen  IJogcnt,  by  the  spirit  that  has 
descended  into  the  hearts  of  the  people, 
will  be  constrained  to  act  one  way  or 
another.  Jolin  Knox,  as  you  perhaps 
know,  staufls  under  tiio  ban  of  out- 
lawry for  conscience  sake.  In  a  little 
while  we  shall  see  whether  he  is  still 
to  be  persecuted.  If  left  free,  the 
braird  of  the  Lord,  that  begins  to  rise 
so  groen  over  all  the  land,  will  grow 
in  peace  to  a  plentiful  harvest.    But 


if  he  is  to  be  hunted  down,  there  will 
come  such  a  cloud  and  storm  as  never 
raged  before  in  Scotland.  I  speak  to 
you  thus  freely,  tliat  you  may  report 
my  frank  sentiments  to  thir  noble 
friends  and  trusty  gentlemen,  and  say 
to  them,  that  I  am  girded  for  the  field, 
if  need  be." 

lie  then  put  a  list  of  several  well- 
known  friends  of  the  Ileformation 
ayont  the  frith  into  my  grandfather's 
hands,  adding,  "  I  need  not  say  that 
it  is  not  fitting  now  to  trust  to  paper, 
and  therefore  much  will  depend  on 
yourself.  The  confidence  that  my 
friend  the  Earl  your  master  has  in  you, 
makes  me  deal  thus  openly  with  you ; 
and  I  may  add,  that  if  there  is  deceit 
in  you,  Gilhaize,  I  will  never  again  be- 
lieve the  physiognomy  of  man — so  go 
your  ways  ;  see  all  these,  whereso  ver 
they  may  be, — and  take  this  purse  for 
your  charges." 

My  grandfather  accepted  the  paper 
and  the  purse  ;  and  reading  over  the 
paper,  imprinted  the  names  in  it  on 
his  memory,  and  then  said — 

"  My  Lord,  I  need  not  risk  the 
possession  of  this  paper ;  but  it  may 
be  necessary  to  give  me  some  token 
by  which  the  lords  and  lairds  therein 
mentioned  may  have  assurance  that  I 
come  from  you." 

For  some  time  the  Lord  James 
made  no  reply,  but  stood  ruminating, 
with  the  fore  finger  of  his  loft  hand 
pressing  his  nether  lip ;  then  he  ob- 
served— 

"  Your  request  is  very  needful ;  " 
and  taking  the  paper,  he  mentioned 
divers  things  of  each  of  the  persons 
named  in  it,  which  lie  told  iny  grand- 
father had  passed  between  him  and 
them  severally,  when  no  other  was 
present.  "  I5y  remombering  them  of 
these  things,"  saiil  he,  "  thoy  Avill 
know  that  you  are  in  verity  sent  from 
me." 

Being  thus  instructed,  my  grand- 
father left  the  Lord  James,  and  j)ro- 


HINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


cceding  forthwith  to  the  pier  of  Lcith, 
embarked  in  tlic  Burntisland  ferry- 
boat— and  considering  with  himself, 
that  the  fartliest  away  of  those  whom 
he  was  missioned  to  see  ought  to  be 
the  first  informed,  as  the  nearer  had 
other  ways  and  means  of  communion, 
he  resolved  to  go  forward  ti  such  of 
them  as  dwelt  in  Angus  and  iNlearns; 
by  which  resolution  lie  reached  Dun- 
dee shortly  after  the  arrival  there  of 
tiie  champion  of  the  lleformation, 
John  Knox. 

This  resolution  proved  most  wise 
and  fortunate  ;  for,  on  landing  in  that 
town,  lie  found  a  great  concourse  of 
the  lieformed  from  the  two  shires  as- 
sembled there,  and  among  them 
many  of  those  to  whom  he  was 
specially  sent.  Tiiey  had  cone  to  go 
witli  their  ministers  before  the  Queen 
Regent's  counsel  at  Stirling,  deter- 
mined to  avow  their  adherence  to  the 
doctrinis  of  which  those  pior^  men 
were  accused.  And  it  being  furese>>n, 
that  as  tliey  went  forward  others 
would  join,  my  grandfather  thought 
he  could  do  no  better  in  his  mission 
tlian  mingle  with  tliem,  the  more 
especially  as  John  Knox  was  also  to 
be  of  that  great  company. 

On  the  day  following,  they  accord- 
ingly ail  set  forward  towards  Perth, 
— and  they  were  a  glorious  army, 
mighty  with  the  strength  of  tlieir  great 
ally  the  Lord  of  tlie  hosts  of  her  -'Mi. 
^o  trumpet  sounded  in  their  maich, 
nor  was  the  courageous  drun\  heard 
among  them,  -nor  the  shouts  of 
earthly  soldiery, — nor  the  neigh  of 
the  war-horse, — nor  the  voice  of  any 
captain.  15ut  they  sang  hymns  of 
triumph,  and  psalms  of  the  great 
things  that  Jehovah  had  of  old  done 
for  his  people  ;  and  though  no  banner 
was  seen  th^re,  nor  sword  on  the 
thiglis  of  men  of  might,  nor  spears 
in  the  grasp  of  warriors,  uor  crested 
helmet,  nor  ought  of  the  panoply  of 
battle,  yet  tlio  cyo  of  faith  beheld 


more  than  all  thes*?.  for  the  liilis  and 
heights  of  Scotland  were  to  its  dazzled 
vision  covered  that  day  with  the 
mustered  armies  of  the  dreadful  (lod  : 
— the  angek  of  his  wratli  in  their 
burning  chariots;  the  arciiangils  of 
his  omnipott-ncf.  calm  in  their  armour 
of  storms  and  flaming  fires,  and  tiie 
Kider  on  the  white  horse  were  all 
there. 

As  the  people  with  their  ministers 
advance<l,  their  course  was  like  a 
river,  wh'ch  continually  groweth  in 
strength,  and  tpreadtth  its  waters  as 
it  rolls  onward  to  the  sea.  On  all 
sides  came  streams  of  new  adiu'rents 
to  their  Loly  cause,  insomuch  that 
when  they  arrived  at  Perth,  it  was 
thought  best  tc  halt  there,  lest  the 
apj-roach  of  so  gre.at  a  mu'ititude, 
though  without  weapons,  sliould  alarm 
the  (,Jueen  Regent's  Goverimient. 
Accordingly  they  made  a  pause,  and 
Erskiue  of  Dun,  one  of  the  Lord 
James  Stuait'.s  friends,  taking  my 
grandfather  with  him,  and  only  two 
other  servants,  rode  forward  to  Stir- 
ling, to  jires'fDt  to  her  Highness  the 
faith  and  die  firmness  of  tiie  people. 

AVhen  they  arrived,  tiiey  found 
the  town  in  consternation.  Pusy 
were  the  Ijaiiies,  marshalling  such  of 
the  bui^esses  a.s  could  be  persuaded 
to  take  up  anii*s  :  but  all  wlio  joined 
them  were  fcckleav^  aged  men,  dealers 
and  traffickers  in  commodities  for  tho 
courtiers.  Proud  was  the  provost 
that  day,  and  a  tvpe  of  the  cause  for 
which  he  was  gathering  his  papistical 
remnants.  At  the  sight  of  Dun  and 
his  three  followers  riding  up  the 
street  to  the  castle,  he  was  fain  to 
draw  out  his  sword  and  make  a  salu- 
tation :  but  it  stnck  sae  dourly  in  tliat 
he  was  obligated  to  g.ir  ane  of  the 
tuwn-cfr!C>?r!f  hold  the  .scabbard,  wliile 
lie  ] pulled  with  such  ndglit  and  main 
at  the  Lilt,  that  the  blade  suddenly 
broke  off.  and  l>ack  he  stumbled,  and 
up  llew  his  becla,  so  that  even  my 


64 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


grandfather  was  constrained,  notwith- 
standing the  solemnity  of  the  occasion, 
to  join  in  the  shout  of  laughter  that 
arose  thereat  from  all  present.  But 
provosts  and  bailies  not  being  men  of 
war,  should  not  expose  themselves  to 
such  adversities. 

Nor  was  the  fyke  of  impotent 
preparation  within  the  walls  of  the 
castle  better.  The  Queen  had  been 
ill  a  manner  lanerly  with  her  ladies, 
when  the  sough  of  tho  coming 
multitude  reached  her.  The  French 
guards  had  not  come  from  Glasgow, 
and  there  was  none  of  the  warlike 
nobles  of  the  papistical  sect  at  that 
time  at  Stirling.  Slie  had  therefore 
reason  both  for  dread  and  panic, 
when  the  news  arrived  that  all  Angus 
and  Mearus  had  rebelled,  for  so  it  was 
at  first  reported. 

On  the  arrival  of  Dun,  he  was  on 
the  instant  admitted  to  her  presence ; 
for  she  was  at  the  time  in  the  tapes- 
tried chamber,  surrounded  by  her 
priests  and  ladies,  and  many  officers, 
nil  consulting  her  according  to  their 
fears.  The  sight,  said  my  grand- 
father, for  he  also  went  in.to  tho 
presence,  was  a  proof  to  iiim  tliat  the 
cause  of  the  papacy  was  in  the  doath- 
thraws,  tho  judgments  of  all  present 
being  so  evidently  in  a  sttite  of  dis- 
comfiture and  desertion. 

Dun  going  forward  with  the 
Avoiited  reverences,  tho  Queen  said  to 
him  abruptly  — 

"  Well,  krskine  what  is  thisV  " 

Whereupon  he  represented  to  her 
in  a  sedate  manner,tliat  the  Iicformed 
ministers  were  not  treated  as  they 
had  been  encouraged  to  hope  ;  never- 
theless, to  show  tlieir  submission  to 
those  in  temporal  auhority  over  them, 
they  were  coming,  in  obedience  to  the 
citation,  to  stand  trial. 

''  l>ut  their  retinue — when  have 
delinquents  come  to  trial  so  at- 
tended? "  she  exclaimed  eagerly. 

"The  people,  please  your  High- 


ness,"  said  Dun,  with  a  steadfastness 
of  manner  that  struck  every  one  with 
respect  for  him, — "  the  people  hold 
the  same  opinions  and  believe  the 
same  doctrines  as  their  preachers,  and 
they  fee!  that  the  oiYence,  if  it  bo 
offence,  of  which  tho  ministers  are 
accused,  lies  equally  against  them, 
and  therefore  they  have  resolved  to 
make  their  case  a  common  cause." 

"And  do  they  mean  to  daunt  us 
from  doing  justice  against  seditious 
schismatics  ? "  cried  her  Highness, 
somewhat  in  anger. 

"They  mean,"  replied  Dun,  "to 
let  your  Highness  see  whether  it  be 
possible  to  bring  so  many  to  judg- 
ment. Their  sentiment,  with  one  voice, 
is.  Cursed  be  they  that  seek  the  effu- 
sion of  blood,  or  war,  or  dissension. 
Let  us  possess  the  evangile,  and  none 
within  Scotland  shall  be  more  obedient 
subjects.  In  sooth,  madam,  they  hold 
themselves  as  guilty  of  the  crime 
charged  as  their  ministers  are,  and 
they  will  suffer  with  them." 

"  Suffer  !  call  you  r(>bellion  suffer- 
ing ?  "  exclaimed  the  Queen. 

"  Tiiey  have  not  yet  rebelled," 
said  Dun,  calmly;  "they  come  to 
remonstrate  with  your  Highness  first ; 
for,  as  Christians,  they  are  lotli  to 
draw  the  sword.  They  have  no  arms 
with  them,  to  the  end  that  no  one 
may  dare  to  accuse  them  of  any  trea- 
son." 

"  It  is  a  perilous  thing  when  sub- 
jects," said  the  Queen,  much  troubled, 
"  declare  themselves  so  ojK'iily  against 
the  authority  of  tlieir  rulers." 

"  It  is  a  l3old  thing  for  rulers,"  re- 
plied Dun,  "  to  meddle  with  the  con- 
sciences of  their  subjects." 

"IIow!"  exclaimed  the  Queen, 
startled  and  indignant. 

"  I  will  deal  yet  more  ]vlaiiily  with 
your  Highness,"  said  he  firmly.  "  This 
])retended  offence,  of  which  the  Ke- 
formcd  are  accused,  is  not  against  tlio 
royal  authority.    They  are  good  and 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


55 


true  subjects,  and,  by  their  walk  and 
conversation,  bear  testimony  to  the 
excellence  and  purity  of  those  doc- 
trines for  which  they  are  resolved  to 
sacrifice  their  lives  rather  than  sub- 
mit to  an  earthly  dictation.  Their 
controversies  pertain  to  things  of 
Christ's  kingdom, — it  is  a  spiritual 
warfare.  But  the  papists,  conscious 
of  their  weakness  in  the  argument, 
would  fain  see  your  Highness  abandon 
that  impartial  justice  which  you  were 
called  of  Heaven  to  administer  in 
your  great  office,  and  to  act  factiously 
on  their  side,  as  if  the  cause  of  the 
Gospel  could  be  determined  by  the 
arm  of  flesh." 

"  What  has  brought  you  here  ?  " 
exclaimed  the  Queen,  bursting  into 
tears. 

"  To  claim  the  fulfilment  of  your 
royal  promises,"  said  Dun,  making  a 
lowly  reverence,  that  by  its  humility 
took  away  all  arrogance  fr''n  the 
boldness  of  the  demand. 

"I  will,"  said  she:  "I  am  ever 
willing  to  be  just,  but  this  rising  has 
shaken  me  with  apprehensions ;  there- 
fore, I  pray  you,  Erskine,  write  to 
your  brethren  ;  bid  them  disperse ; 
and  tell  them  from  me,  that  their 
ministers  shall  neither  be  tried  nor 
molested." 

At  these  words,  she  took  the  arm 
of  one  of  her  ladies  and  hastily  re- 
tired. Dun  also  withdrew,  and  the 
same  hour  sent  my  grandfather  back 
to  Perth  v'ith  letters  to  the  Congre- 
gation, to  the  effect  of  her  request 
and  assurance. 

That  same  evening  the  multitude 
broke  up  and  returned  to  their  respec- 
tive homes,  rejoicing  with  an  exceed- 
ing great  joy  at  so  blessed  a  termina- 
tion of  their  weaponless*  Christian 
Avar.  Dun,  however,  distrusting  the 
influence  of  some  of  those  who  were 
of  the  Queen's  council,  and  who  had 
arrived  at  the  castle  soon  after  my 
grandfather's  departure,  did  not  re^ 


turn,  as  he  had  intended,  next  morn- 
ing to  Perth,  but  resolved  to  wait 
over  the  day  of  trial ;  or,  at  least, 
until  the  ministers  were  absolved 
from  attendance  on  the  summonses, 
either  by  proclamation  or  other  forms 
of  law. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

John  Knox,  among  all  the  ministers 
who  remained  at  Perth  after  the  Con- 
gregation of  the  Reformed  had  dis- 
persed, was  the  only  one,  my  grand- 
father had  been  heard  to  say,  that 
expressed  no  joy  nor  exultation  at  the 
assurances  of  the  Queen  Regent. 
"  We  shall  see,  we  shall  see,"  was  all 
he  said  to  those  among  them  who 
gloried  in  the  victory ;  adding,  "  But 
if  there  is  truth  in  the  Word  of  God, 
it  is  not  in  the  nature  of  the  Beast  to 
do  otherwise  than  evil ; "  and  his 
words  of  discernment  and  of  wisdom 
were  soon  verified. 

Krskiiie  of  Dun,  whi!<'  h*  remained 
at  Stirling,  had  his  lyes  and  ears 
open  •  and  in  their  porches  he  placed, 
for  statiuols,  Disi  ist  and  Suspicion. 
He  knew  tlio  fluctuating  nature  of 
woman;  how  every  si  eodiug  wave 
of  feeling  wa.-iies  away  the  deepest 
traces  that  • '<  traced  on  the  quick- 
sands of  her  unstable  humours ;  and 
the  danger  having  passed,  he  jea- 
joused  that  the  Qu'  im  Regent  would 
forget  her  ternw^'  1  give  herself  up 
to  the  headln:  iiusels  of  the  ad- 

versaries, whom,  from  her  known 
adherence  to  the  Romish  ritual,  ho 
justly  feared  she  was  inclined  to 
favour.  Nor  was  he  left  long  in 
doubt. 

On  the  evening  before  the  day 
which  had  been  appointed  for  the 
trial,  no  proclamation  or  other  token 
v/as  promulgated  to  appease  the 
anxiety  of  the  cited  preachers.  He, 
therefore,  thought  i4>  needful  to  be 


06 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


prepared  for  the  worst ;  so,  accord- 
ingly, he  ordered  his  two  serving-mea 
to  have  his  horses  in  readiness  forth 
the  town  in  the  morning,  and  there 
to  abide  his  orders. 

Without  giving  any  other  about 
him  the  slightest  inkling  of  what  he 
had  conceited,  he  went  up  betimes  to 
the  castle,  having  learnt  that  the 
Queen  Regent  was  that  day  to  iiold 
a  council.  And  being  a  man  held  in 
great  veneration  by  all  parties,  and 
well  known  to  the  household  of  the 
court,  he  obtained  access  to  the  ante- 
chamber after  the  council  was  met; 
and  standing  there,  he  was  soon  sur- 
prised by  her  Highness  coming  out, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  Lord  Win- 
toun,  and  seemingly  much  disturbed. 
On  seeing  him  she  was  startled,  and 
paused  for  a  moment ;  but  soon  col- 
lecting all  her  pride,  she  dropped  the 
Lord  Wintoun's  arm,  and  walked 
straight  through  the  apartment  with- 
out noticing  anyone,  and  holding 
herself  aloft  with  an  air  of  resolute 
dignity. 

Dun  augured  no  good  from  this  ; 
but  following  till  the  Lord  Wintoun 
had  attended  her  to  the  end  of  the 
long  painted  gallery,  where  she  stopped 
at  the  door  that  opened  to  her  private 
apartments,  lie  theri  awaited  that 
nobleman's  return,  ai)>l  inquired  of 
him  if  tlio  process  against  the  Protes- 
tant ministers  had  been  rescinded. 

"  No,"  said  Wintoun,  peevishly  ; 
"  the  summonses  have  been  called  over 
and  they  have  not  appeared,  either  in 
person  or  by  agents." 

"  Say  you  so,  my  Ijord ! "  cried 
Dun  ;  "  and  what  is  the  result?" 

"  Outhnvry,  for  non-appearance,  ia 
pronounced  agiiinst  them,"  replied 
^Vintoun,  hauglitily,  and  wentstraijrlit 
back  into  the  council-chamber. 

Dun  thought  it  unnecessary  fo  in- 
quire farther;  so,  without  making 
more  ado,  he  iustantjr  left  the  castle, 
and,  going  down  the  toTrn,  went  to 


the  spot  where  his  horses  stood  ready, 
and  mounting,  rode  off  with  the 
tidings  to  Perth,  grieving  sorely  at 
the  gross  perfidy  and  sad  deceit  which 
the  Queen  Regent  had  been  so  prac- 
tised on,  by  the  heads  of  the  papist 
faction,  to  commit. 

It  happened  on  the  same  day,  that 
John  Knox,  who  remained  at  Perth, 
a  wakeful  warder  on  a  post  of  peril, 
was  moved  by  the  Spirit  of  God  to 
preach  a  sermon,  in  which  he  exposed 
the  idolatry  of  the  mass,  and  the  de- 
pravity of  image-worship.  INIy  grand- 
father was  present,  and  he  often  said, 
that  preaching  was  an  era  and  epoch 
worthy  to  be  held  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance. It  took  place  in  the 
Greyfriars'  church.  There  was  an 
understanding  among  the  people  that 
it  was  to  be  there  ;  but  many  fearing 
the  monks  might  attempt  to  prevent 
it,  a  vast  concourse,  chiefly  men,  as- 
sembled at  the  ordinary  mass  hour, 
and  remained  in  the  church  till  the 
Reformer  came,  so  that,  had  the  friars 
tried  to  keep  him  out,  they  could  not 
have  shut  the  doors. 

A  lane  was  made  through  the 
midst  of  the  crowd  to  admit  the 
preacher  to  the  pulpit ;  and  when  ho 
was  seen  advancing,  aged  and  feeble, 
and  leaning  on  his  staff,  many  wero 
moved  with  compassion,  and  doubted 
if  it  could  be  the  wonderful  man  of 
whom  every  tongue  spoke.  Rut  when 
he  had  ascended  and  began,  he  seemed 
to  undergo  a  great  transfiguration. 
His  abject  mien  and  his  sickly  visage 
became  majestic  and  glorious.  Ilia 
eyes  lightened ;  his  countenance  shone 
as  with  the  radiance  of  a  spirit  that 
lilazed  within  ;  and  his  voice  dirled  to 
tlie  heart  like  vehement  thunder. 

Sometimes  he  spoke  to  the  under- 
standings of  those  who  heard  him,  of 
that  insane  doctrine  wliioh  represented 
the  mission  of  the  Redeemer  to  con- 
sist of  believing,  in  despite  of  sight, 
and  smell;  and  touch,  aud  taste,  that 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


67 


iu  the 


Wafers  and  wine  were  actually  the 
flesh  and  blood  of  a  man  that  was 
crucified,  with  nails,  driven  tlirough 
his  feet  and  hands,  many  hundred 
years  ago.  Then,  rising  into  the  con- 
templation of  the  divinity  of  the 
Saviour,  he  trampled  under  the  feet 
of  his  eloquence  a  belief  so  contrary 
to  the  instincts  and  senses  with  which 
Infinite  Wisdom  has  gifted  his  crea- 
tures; and  bursting  into  ecstacy  at 
the  thought  of  this  idolatrous  inven- 
tion, he  called  on  the  people  to  look 
at  the  images  and  the  efligies  in  the 
building  around  them,  and  believe,  if 
they  could,  that  such  things,  the 
handy  works  of  carpenters  and 
masons,  were  endowed  with  miracu- 
lous energies  far  above  the  faculties 
of  man.  Kindling  into  a  still  higher 
mood,  he  preached  to  those  very 
images,  and  demanded  of  them,  and 
tliose  they  represented,  to  show  any 
liroof  that  they  were  entitled  to  rever- 
ence. "  God  forgive  my  idolatry,"  he 
exclaimed,  "I  forget  myself — these 
things  are  but  stocks  and  stones." 

Not  one  of  all  who  heard  him  that 
day  ever  gave  car  again  to  papistry. 

When  he  had  made  an  end,  and 
had  retired  from  the  church,  many 
still  lingered,  discoursing  of  his  mar- 
vellous lecture,  and  among  others,  my 
grandfather. 

An  imprudent  priest  belonging  to 
the  convent,  little  aware  of  the  great 
conversion  wliich  had  been  wrought, 
began  to  prepare  for  the  celebration 
of  tlie  mass,  and  a  callan  who  was 
standing  near,  encouraged  by  the 
contempt  wliicli  some  of  those  around 
expressed  at  this  folly,  jibed  the 
priest,  and  he  drove  him  away.  The 
boy,  however,  returned,  and  levelling 
a  stone  at  a  crucifix  on  tiie  altar, 
sliattored  it  to  pieces.  In  an  instant, 
as  if  caui^lit  by  a  whirlwind,  the  wliole 
papistical  trumpery  was  torn  down, 
and  dashed  into  fragments.  Tiie  cry 
of  "Down  with  the  idols  1"  became 


universal :  hundreds  on  hundreds 
came  rushing  to  the  spot.  The  ma- 
gistrates and  the  ministers  came  flying 
to  beseech  order  and  to  soothe  the 
multitude  ;  but  a  Divine  ire  was  upon 
the  people,  who  heard  no  voice  but 
only  the  cry  of  "  Down  with  the 
idols  ! "  and  their  answer  was,  "  Burn, 
burn,  and  destroy ! " 

The  monasteries  of  the  Black  and 
the  Grey  Friars  were  sacked  and 
rendered  desolate,  and  the  gorgeous 
edifice  of  the  Carthusian  monks 
levelled  to  tlie  ground. 

So  dreadful  a  tumult  had  never 
before  been  heard  of  within  the  realm. 
Many  of  the  best  of  the  Ref*med 
deplored  the  handle  it  would  give  to 
the  blasphemies  of  their  foes.  Even 
my  grandfather  was  smitten  with 
consternation  and  grief ;  for  he  could 
not  but  think  that  such  a  terrible 
temporal  outrage  would  be  followed 
by  a  temporal  revenge  as  ruthless  and 
complete.  Sober  minds  shuddered  at 
the  sudden  and  sacrilegious  overthrow 
of  such  venerable  structures ;  and 
many  that  stood  on  the  threshold  of 
the  house  of  papistical  bondage,  and 
were  on  the  point  of  leaving  it,  re- 
tired in  again,  and  barred  the  doors 
against  the  light,  and  hugged  their 
errors  as  blameless  compared  with  such 
enormities.  To  no  one  did  the  event 
give  pleasure  but  to  John  Knox. 
"  The  work,"  said  he,  "  has  been 
done-,  it  is  true,  by  the  rascal  multi- 
tude ;  but  when  the  nests  are  destroyed 
the  rooks  will  fly  away." 

The  thing,  however,  most  con- 
sidered at  that  time,  was  tlie  panic 
which  this  intemperance  would  cause 
to  the  Queen  Regent ;  and  my  grand- 
father, seeing  it  had  changed  the 
complexion  of  his  mission,  resolved 
to  return  the  same  evening  by  the 
Queensferry  to  the  liOrd  James  Stuart 
at  Edinburoh.  For  the  people  no 
sooner  cooled  and  came  to  a  sense  of 
reflection,  than  they  discerned  that 


58 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


they  had  committed  a  heinous  offence 
against  the  laws,  and,  apprehending 
punishment,  prepared  to  defend  them- 
aelves. 

Thus,  by  the  irresolute  and  pro- 
mise-breaking policy  of  the  (Jncon, 
was  the  people  maddened  into  grievous 
excessess,  and  many  of  tiioso  who 
submitted  quietly  in  the  faith  of  her 
assurances,  and  had  returned  to  their 
respective  homes,  considered  the 
trumpet  as  sounded,  and  began  to  gird 
themselves  for  battle. 

It's  far  from  my  hand  and  intent, 
to  write  a  history  of  the  tribulations 
which  ensued  from  the  day  of  the  up- 
roar and  first  outbreaking  of  the  wrath 
of  the  people  against  the  images  of  the 
Romish  idolatry ;  and  therefore  I  shall 
proceed,  with  all  expedient  brevity, 
to  relate  what  farther,  in  those  sore 
times,  fi'll  under  the  eye  of  my  grand- 
father, who,  when  he  returned  to 
Edinburgh,  found  the  Lord  James 
Stuart  on  the  point  of  proceeding  to 
the  Queen  Regent  at  Stirling,  and  he 
went  with  hini  thither. 

On  arriving  at  the  castle,  they 
found  the  French  soldiery  all  collected 
in  tlie  town,  and  her  Highness,  like 
another  fiery  Rolloua,  vowing  to 
avenge  the  calamities  that  had  be- 
falkn  the  idols  and  images  of  Perth  ; 
and  summoning  and  invoking  the 
nobility,  and  every  man  of  substance 
she  could  think  of,  to  come  with 
their  vassals,  that  she  might  be  en- 
abled to  chastise  such  sacrilegious 
rebellion. 

The  Lord  James  Stuart  seeing  her 
so  bent  on  extremities,  and  knowing, 
by  his  secret  intelligences,  that  strong 
powers  were  ready  to  start  forward  at 
a  moment's  warning,  both  in  the 
West,  and  in  Fife,  Angus,andMearns, 
entreati'd  her  to  listen  to  more  mode- 
rate counsels  than  those  of  revenge 
and  resentment,  and  rather  to  think 
of  pacification  than  of  punishment. 
But  she  was  fiery  with  passion,  and  a 


blinded  instrument  in  the  hands  of 
Providence  to  work  out  the  deliver- 
ance of  the  land,  even  by  the  crooked 
policy  that  her  papistical  counsellors 
hurried  her  into.  So  that  the  Lord 
James,  seeing  she  was  transported 
beyond  reason,  sent  my  grandfather 
and  other  secret  emissaries  to  warn 
the  Lords  and  leaders  of  the  Congre- 
gation,and  to  tell  them,  that  her  High- 
ness was  minded  to  surprise  Perth,  as 
soon  as  she  had  gathered  a  sufTicicut 
array. 

The  conduct  of  that  great  worthy 
was  in  this  full  of  wisdom,  and  fore- 
sight, and  policy.  By  staying  with 
the  Queen  he  incurred  the  suspicion 
of  the  Reformed,  to  whom  he  was  a 
devoted  friend ;  but  he  gained  a 
knowledge  of  the  intents  of  their 
enemies,  by  which  he  was  enabled  to 
turn  aside  the  edge  of  vengeance  when 
it  was  meant  to  be  most  deadly.  Ac- 
cordingly, reckless  of  the  opinions  of 
men,  he  went  forward  with  the 
Queen's  army  towards  Perth ;  but 
before  they  had  crossed  the  Water  of 
Earn,  word  was  brought  to  her  High- 
ness, that  the  Earl  of  CUencairn,  at  the 
head  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  of 
the  Reformed,  was  advancing  from 
the  shire  of  Ayr. 

Such  were  the  fruits  of  my  grand- 
father's mission  to  the  Lord  Boyd, 
and  he  heard  likewise  that  the  bold 
and  free  lairds  of  Angus  and  Mearus, 
with  all  their  followers,  had  formed 
themselves  in  battle-array  to  defend 
the  town.  Still,  however,  her  High- 
ness was  resolute  to  go  on  ;  for  sho 
was  instigated  by  her  feminine  anger, 
even  as  much  as  by  the  wicked 
counsels  of  the  papist  lords  by  whom 
sho  was  surrounded. 

But  when  she  reached  the  heights 
that  overlooked  the  sweet  valley  of 
the  Tay,  whose  green  and  gentlo 
losom  was  then  sparkling  with  tiio 
glances  of  warlike  steel,  her  heart  was 
softened,  and  sho  called  to  lier  the 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


59 


Lord  James  Stuart,  and  the  young 
Earl  of  Argyle, — the  old  Lord,  his 
father,  had  died  some  time  prior, — 
and  sent  them  to  the  army  of  the 
Congregation,  that  peace  might  still 
\)G  prt'servL'd,  Tliey  accordingly  went 
into  the  town,  and  sending  notice  to 
the  leaders  of  the  Reformed  to  appoint 
two  of  their  party  to  confer  witii 
them,  John  Knox  and  the  Master 
Wiilocks  were  nominated.  My 
grandfather,  who  attended  the  Lord 
James  on  this  occasion,  was  directed 
by  him  to  receive  the  two  deputies  at 
the  door  and  to  conduct  tiiem  in  ;  and 
when  they  came  he  was  mucii  troubled 
to  observe  the  state  of  their  minds ; 
for  IMaster  "Willocks  was  austere  in 
his  looks,  as  if  resolved  on  quarrel, 
and  the  lleformer  was  agitated  and 
angry,  muttering  to  himself  as  he  as- 
cended the  stairs,  making  his  staff 
often  dirl  on  the  steps.  No  sooner 
were  they  shown  into  the  presence  of 
the  two  lords,  even  before  the  door 
was  shut,  than  John  Knox  began  to 
upbraid  the  Lord  James  for  having 
broken  the  covenant  and  fordakeu  the 
Congregation. 

^hicii  to  that  effect,  my  grand- 
father afterwards  learnt,  passed  ;  but 
the  Lord  James  pacified  him  with 
the  assurance  that  his  heart  and  spirit 
were  still  true  to  the  cause,  and  that 
lie  had  come  with  Argyle  to  prevent, 
if  possible,  the  shedding  of  blood  ;  he 
likewise  declared  both  for  himself 
and  the  Earl,  who  had  hitherto 
always  abided  by  the  (iueen,  that  if 
she  refused  to  listen  to  reasonable 
terms,  or  should  break  any  treaty 
entered  into,  they  would  openly  take 
part  against  her. 

Upon  these  asKur.inces  a  treaty  was 
concluded,  by  which  it  was  agreed, 
that  both  armies  should  retire  jicace- 
ably  to  their  respective  habitations ; 
that  the  town  should  be  made  acces- 
sible to  the  Queen  Regent ;  that  no 
luolestatiou  should  be  giv(iU  to  those 


who  were  then  in  arms  for  the  Con- 
gregation, and  no  persecutions  under- 
taken against  the  Reformed, — with 
other  covenants  calculated  to  sootho 
the  Congregation  and  allay  men's 
fears.  But  no  sooner  was  this  treaty 
ratified,  the  army  of  the  Congrega- 
tion dispersed,  and  her  Highness  in 
possession  of  the  town,  than  it  was 
manifest  no  vows  nor  obligations  were 
binding  towards  the  Iteretics,  as  tho 
Reformed  were  called.  The  (Queen's 
French  guards,  even  when  attending 
her  into  the  town,  fired  into  tho  house 
of  a  known  zealous  Protestant  and 
killed  his  son;  the  inhabitants  were 
plundered  and  insulted  with  impunity, 
and  the  magistrates  were  dismissed 
to  make  way  for  men  devoted  to 
papistry. 

The  Earl  of  Argyle  and  Lord 
James  Stuart,  filled  with  wrath  and 
indignation  at  such  open  perfidy, 
went  straight  into  her  Highness'  pre- 
sence without  asking  audience,  and 
reproached  her  with  deceit  and  crafti- 
ness; and  having  so  vented  their 
minds,  instanter  quitted  the  court  and 
the  town,  and,  attended  by  my  grand- 
father and  a  few  other  servants,  de- 
parted for  Fife,  to  which  John  Knox 
had  also  retired  after  the  dispersion 
of  tho  Congregation  at  Perth.  The 
Lord  James,  in  virtue  of  being  Prior 
of  St  Andrew's,  went  thither  attended 
by  the  Earl,  and  sent  my  grandfather 
to  Crail,  where  the  Reformer  was 
then  preaching,  to  invite  him  to  meet 
them  and  others  of  the  Congregation 
with  all  convenient  expedition. 

My  grandfather  never  having  been 
before  in  Crail,  and  not  knowing  how 
the  people  there  might  stand  affected, 
instead  of  inquiring  for  John  Knox, 
bethought  himself  of  his  acquaint- 
ance with  Bailie  Kilspinnie,  and  so 
speired  his  way  to  his  dwelling,  little 
hoping,  from  the  fearful  nature  of  that 
honest  man,  he  would  find  him  within. 
But,  contrary  to  hia  expectation,  Le 


60 


KiNCxAN  GILHAIZE. 


was  not  only  there,  but  he  welcomed 
my  grandfather  as  an  old  and  very 
cordial  friend,  leading  him  into  his 
house  and  making  much  of  him,  tel- 
ling him,  with  a  voice  of  cheerfulness, 
that  the  day  of  reckoning  had  at  last 
overtaken  the  profligate  idolaters. 

Then  he  caused  to  be  brought  in 
before  my  grandfather  the  five  pretty 
babies  that  his  wife  had  abandoned 
for  lier  papistical  admirer,  the  eldest 
of  whom  was  but  turned  nine  years. 
The  thoughts  of  their  mother's  con- 
duct overcame  their  father  at  that 
moment,  and  the  tears  coming  into 
his  eyes,  he  sobbed  aloud  as  he  looked 
at  them,  and  wept  bitterly,  while  they 
flocked  around,  and  wreathed  him,  as  it 
were,  with  their  caresses  and  innocent 
blandishments.  So  tender  a  scene 
melted  my  grandfather's  spirit  into 
sadness;  and  he  could  not  remain 
master  of  himself,  when  the  eldest,  a 
mild  and  meek  little  maiden,  s<aid  to 
him,  as  if  to  excuse  her  father's  sor- 
row. "  A  foul  friar  made  my  mother 
an  ill-doer,  and  took  her  away  ae 
night  when  she  was  just  done  wi' 
hearkening  our  prayers." 

At  this  juncture,  a  blooming  and 
mod'.'St-eyed  damsel  came  into  the 
room ;  but,  seeing  a  stranger,  she 
drew  back  and  was  going  away,  when 
the  bailie,  drying  his  eyes,  said — 

"  Come  Ben,  Elspa :  this  is  the 
young  man  that  ye  hae  heard  me  eae 
commend  for  his  kind  friendship  to 
me,  in  that  dotage  dauner  that  I  made 
in  my  distraction  to  St  Andrews.  This," 
he  added,  turning  to  my  grandf.ither, 
"  is  Elspa  liuet,  the  sister  of  that 
mi.sfortunate  woman ; — to  my  helpless 
bairns  she  does  their  mother's  duty." 

El.spa  made  a  gentle  beck  as  her 
brother-in-law  was  speaking,  and 
turning  round,  dropt  a  tear  on  the 
neck  of  the  youngest  baby,  as  she 
leant  down  to  take  it  up  for  a  screen 
to  hide  her  blushing  face,  that  red- 
dened with  the    thought   at   seeing 


one  who  had  so  witnesBed  laar  siater'a 
shame. 

From  tliat  hour  her  imtar"  had  a 
dcfir  place  in  my  grandfalirtjr'sfc'jriom, 
and  after  the  settlement  c£  ttW^  Refor- 
mation throughout  the  mtaJhn.  he 
courted  her,  and  she  becamu*  fiiia  wife, 
and  in  process  of  time  my  igrmdmo- 
ther.  But  of  her  manif  oM  itsi^itllt^nciea 
I  shall  have  occasion  to  epitat  more  at 
large  hereafter,  for  she  ■was  nu*  orrlin- 
ary  woman,  but  a  Bainl  ifluiQOig'hoat 
life,  returning  in  a  good  ■iwini  a^  to  her 
Maker,  almost  as  blamtfes?  as  she 
came  from  his  pure  LaiDdj; :  and  no- 
thing became  her  more  in  :iiii  hat  piety, 
than  the  part  she  acted  towrurdJs  her 
guilty  sister. 

Having  taken  away  tibe  «ml<iren, 
she  then  brought  in  diT«r$  refresh- 
ments, and  a  flagon  of  posert ;  feat  she 
remained  not  with  the  luiiilla*-  ajid  mj 
grandfather  while  they  pairt:j<ofc  there- 
of ;  so  that  they  were  lef;!  lfim«  to  con- 
verse as  they  listed,  aud  niLy  grand- 
father was  glad  to  find,  is  I  have 
already  said,  that  the  jiocr  man  had 
triumphed  over  his  foi)d  pii^f.  and 
was  reconciled  to  his  mifiicojnniiies  aa 
well  as  any  father  could  irtll  fee  with 
so  many  deserted  babies,  mti  tihree  of 
them  daughters. 

He  likewise  learnt,  -witSii  no  less 
solace  and  satisfaction.  Aais  the  Re- 
formed were  strong  in  CtvsL  and  that 
the  magistrates  and  the  lidiaest  bur- 
gesses had  been  preeeiil  icoi  the  day 
before  at  the  preacLiitr  (of  John 
Knox,  and  had  afterwiunfij  srrffered 
the  people  to  demolish  thi  images 
and  fill  monuments  ttf  papLitry, 
without  molestation  or  Eiai«ir;iJice ; 
so  that  the  town  was  d{!imij<id  of  the 
pollution  of  idolatry,  a3i>d  nM  -vrorship 
of  humble  and  contritie  JjitaartH  estab- 
lished there,  instead  'cxf  aiW  p^igan 
pageantry  of  masses  ai>d  alnaars. 

After  the  repast  was  fiaJK&^d,  the 
bailie  conducted  my  pafflj"tliither  to 
the  Louse  Tvhere  Jolia  Ejuas  then 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


ei 


lie  communicated 
the  Lord  James 


lodged,  to  wliom 
his  message  from 
Stuart. 

"  Tell  your  master,"  was  the  reply 
of  the  Ileformer,  "  that  I  will  be  with 
him,  God  willing ;  and  God  is  willing, 
for  this  invitation,  and  the  state  of 
men's  minds,  maketh  His  will  mani- 
fest. Yea,  I  was  minded  myself  to  go 
thither;  for  that  same  city  of  St 
Andrews  is  the  Zion  of  Scotland. 
Of  old,  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation 
were  first  heard  there, — there,  amidst 
the  damps  and  the  darkness  of  ages, 
the  ancient  Culdees,  men  whose 
memory  is  still  fragrant  for  piety  and 
parity  of  faith  and  life,  supplied  the 
oil  of  the  lamp  of  the  living  God  for 
a  period  of  four  hundred  years,  in- 
dependent of  pope,  prelate,  or  any 
human  supremacy.  There  it  was  that 
a  spark  of  their  blessed  embers  was, 
in  our  own  day,  first  blown  into  a 
flame, — and  there,  please  God,  where 
I,  His  unworthy  instrument,  was  con- 
demned as  a  criminal  for  His  truth's 
sake,  shall  I,  in  His  strength,  be  the 
herald  of  His  triumph  sind  great 
victory." 

When  my  grandfather  had  returned 
to  the  b.ailie's  house  after  delivering 
his  message  to  the  Reformer,  he  spent 
an  evening  of  douce  but  pleasant 
pastime  with  him  and  the  modest 
Elspa  Ruet,  whoso  conversation  was 
far  above  her  degree,  and  seasoned 
witli  the  sweet  savour  of  holiness. 
But  ever  and  anon,  though  all  parties 
strove  to  eschew  the  subject,  they  be- 
gan to  speak  of  her  erring  sister,  the 
bailie  compassionating  her  continu- 
ance in  sin  as  a  man  and  a  Christian 
should,  but  showing  no  wish  nor 
will  to  mind  her  any  more  as  kith 
or  kin  to  him  or  his ;  a  temper  that 
my  grandfather  was  well  content  to 
observe  he  had  attained.  Not  so  was 
that  of  Elspa  ;  but  her  words  were  few 
and  well  chosen,  and  they  made  a 
deep  impression  on  my  grandfather ; 


for  she  seemed  fain  to  hide  what  was 
passing  in  her  heart. 

Twice  or  thrice  she  spoke  of  the 
ties  of  nature,  intimating  that  they 
were  as  a  bond  and  obligation  laid  on 
by  the  Makei!,  whereby  kindred  wero 
bound  to  stand  by  one  another  in 
weal  or  in  woe,  lest  those  who  sinned 
should  be  utterly  abandoned  by  all 
the  world,  The  which  tender  and 
Christian  sentiment,  though  it  was 
melodious  to  my  grandfather's  spirit, 
pierced  it  with  a  keen  pain ;  for  he 
thought  of  the  manner  in  which  he 
had  left  his  own  parents,  even  though 
it  was  for  the  blessed  sake  of  religion, 
and  his  bosom  was  at  the  moment 
filled  with  sorrow.  But,  when  he  said 
how  much  he  regretted  and  was  yet 
unrepententof  that  step,  Elspa  cheered 
him  Avith  a  consolation  past  utterance, 
by  reminding  him,  that  he  had  neither 
left  them  to  want  nor  to  sin ;  that,  by 
quitting  the  shelter  of  their  wing,  he 
had  but  obeyed  the  promptings  of 
nature,  and  that  if,  at  any  time  here- 
after, father  or  mother  stood  in  need 
of  his  aid  or  exhortation,  he  could 
still  do  his  duty. 

Without  well  considering  what  ho 
said,  the  bailie  observed  on  this,  that 
he  was  surprised  to  hear  her  say  so, 
and  yet  allow  her  sister  to  remain  so 
long  unreproved  in  her  offences. 

Elspa  Ruet  to  this  made  no  imme- 
diate reply, — she  was  indeed  unable ; 
and  my  grandfather  sympathized  with 
her,  for  the  sting  had  plainly  pene- 
trated to  the  very  marrow  of  her  soul. 
At  last,  however,  she  said, — 

"  Your  reproach  is  just,  I  hae  been 
to  blame  baith  to  Heaven  and  man — 
but  the  thing  has  na  been  unthought, 
only  I  kent  na  how  to  gang  about  the 
task  ;  and  yet  what  gars  me  say  sae'a 
but  a  woman's  weakness,  for  the  road's 
no  sae  laug  to  St  Andrews,  and  surely 
iniquity  does  not  there  so  abound, 
that  no  ane  would  help  me  to  the 
donsie  woman's  bower. 


62 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


My  grandfather,  on  hearing  this, 
answered,  that  if  she  was  indeed 
minded  to  try  to  rescue  her  sister,  lie 
■was  ready  and  willing  to  do  all  with 
her  and  for  her  that  she  could  desire  ; 
but,  bearing  in  mind  the  poor  woman's 
Bad  misconduct,  he  added,  "  I'm  fear- 
ful it's  yet  owre  soon  to  hope  for  her 
amendment :  she'll  hae  to  fin'  tlic  evil 
upshot  of  licr  ungodly  courses,  1  doubt, 
before  she'll  be  wrought  into  a  frame 
of  sincere  penitence." 

"Nevertheless,"  replied  Elspa 
Ruet,  "  [  Avill  try;  it's  my  duty,  and 
my  sisterly  love  bids  me  no  to  bo  slotii- 
f  ul  in  the  task."  At  which  words  she 
burst  into  sore  and  sorrowful  weeping, 
saying,  "  Alas,  alas !  that  she  should 
have  so  fallen  ! — I  loved  her — oh  ! 
naebody  can  tell  how  dearly — even  as 
I  loved  myself.  When  I  first  saw 
my  ain  face  in  a  looking-glass  I 
thought  it  was  her,  and  kissed  it  for 
the  likeness,  in  pity  that  it  didna 
look  sae  fair  as  it  was  wont  to  be- 
But  it's  the  Lord's  pleasure,  and  in 
permitting  her  to  sink  so  low  he  has 
no  doubt  some  great  lesson  to  teach," 

Thus,  from  less  to  more,  as  they 
continued  conversing,  it  was  agreed 
that  Elspa  Iluet  should  ride  on  a  pad 
ahint  my  grandfather  next  morning 
to  St  Andrews,  in  order  to  try  if  the 
thing  could  be  to  move  her  sister  to 
the  humiliation  of  contrition  for  her 
sinful  life.  And  some  small  prepara- 
tion being  needful,  Elspa  departed 
and  left  the  bailie  and  my  grandfather 
together. 

"  But,"  said  my  grandfather  to 
him,  after  she  had  been  some  time 
away,  "is't  your  design  to  take  the 
unfortunate  woman  back  amang  your 
innocent  lassie  bairns  ?  " 

"No,"  replied  the  bailie  ;  «« that's 
no  a  tiling  to  be  now  thought  of; 
pli.'ase  Providence,  siio'll  ne'er  again 
darken  my  door;  I'll  no,  however, 
allow  her  to  want.  Her  mother,  poor 
auld  afHicted  woman,  that  has  ne'er 


refrain't  from  greeting  since  her 
flight,  she'll  tak  her  in  ;  but  atween 
her  and  mo  there'  a  divorce  for  ever." 

By  daylight  my  grandfather  had 
his  horse  at  the  door ;  and  Elspa 
having  borrowed  the  provost's  lady's 
pad  over  night,  it  was  buckled  on, 
and  they  were  soon  after  on  the  road. 

It  was  a  simny  morning  in  June, 
and  all  things  were  bright,  and  blithe, 
and  blooming.  The  spirits  of  youth, 
joy,  and  enjoyment,  were  spread 
abroad  on  the  earth.  The  butterflies, 
like  floating  lillies,  sailed  from  blos- 
som to  blossom,  and  the  gowans,  the 
bright  and  beautiful  eyes  of  the 
summer,  shone  with  gladness,  as 
Nature  walked  on  bank  and  brae,  in 
maiden  pride,  spreading  and  showing 
her  new  flowery  mantle  to  the  sun. 
The  very  airs  that  stirred  the  glitter- 
ing trees  were  soft  and  genial  as  the 
breath  of  life  ;  and  tho  leaves  of  the 
aspen  seemed  to  lap  the  sunshine  like 
the  tongues  of  young  and  happy 
creatures  that  delight  in  their  food. 

As  my  grandfather  and  Elspa  Ruet 
rode  along  together,  they  partook  of 
the  universal  benignity  with  which  all 
things  seemed  that  morning  so 
graciously  adorned,  and  their  hearts 
were  filled  with  the  hope  that  their 
united  endeavours  to  save  her  fallen 
sister  would  be  blessed  with  success. 
But  when  they  came  in  sight  of  the 
papal  towers  and  gorgeous  edifices  of 
St  Andrews,  which  then  raised  their 
proud  heads,  like  Babel,  so  auda- 
ciously to  the  heavens,  they  both  be- 
came silent. 

My  grandfather's  thoughts  ran  on 
what  might  ensue  if  the  Archbishop 
were  to  subject  him  to  his  dominion, 
and  he  resolved,  as  early  as  possible, 
to  make  known  his  arrival  to  the  Lord 
.fames  Stuart,  who,  in  virtue  of  being 
head  of  the  priory,  was  then  resident 
tliei'e,  and  to  claim  his  protection. 
Accordingly  he  determined  to  rido 
with  Elspa  Ruet  to  the  house  of  the 


RINOAN  OILHATZE. 


69 


08 

in 


vintner  in  the  Shoegato,  of  which  I 
have  already  spoken,  iind  to  leave  her 
under  tlie  care  of  Lucky  Kilfauns,  as 
the  hostess  was  called,  luitil  he  had 
done  so.  Ihxt  fears  and  sorrows  were 
busy  with  the  fancy  of  his  fair  com- 
panion ;  and  it  was  to  her  a  bitter 
thinj,',  as  she  afterwards  told  liini,  to 
think  that  the  purpose  of  her  errand 
was  to  entreat  a  beloved  sister  to 
leave  a  life  of  shame  and  sin,  and 
sadly  doubting  if  she  would  succeed. 

Being  thus  occupied  with  their  re- 
spective cogitations,  they  entered  the 
city  in  silence,  and  reached  the 
vintner's  door  without  having  ex- 
changed a  word  for  several  miles. 
There  Elspa  aligiited,  and  being  com- 
mended to  the  care  of  Lucky  Kilfauns, 
wiio,  though  of  a  free  outsi)oken 
nature,  was  a  most  creditable  matron, 
my  grandfather  left  her,  and  rode  up 
the  gait  to  the  priory  yett,  where,  on 
his  arrival,  he  made  himself  known  to 
the  porter,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Lord  Prior,  as  the  Lord  James  was 
there  papistically  called. 

Having  told  his  Lordship  that  he 
liad  delivered  his  message  to  John 
Knox,  and  tiiat  the  Reformer  would 
not  fail  to  attend  the  call,  ho  then 
related  partly  what  had  happened  to 
himself  in  his  former  sojourn  at  St 
Andrews,  and  how  and  for  what  end 
Le  had  brought  Elspa  Ruct  there  that 
day  with  him,  entreating  the  Lord 
James  to  give  him  his  livery  and  pro- 
tection, for  fear  of  the  Archbishop  ; 
which  witli  many  pleasing  comments 
on  his  devout  and  prudent  demeanour, 
that  noble  worthy  most  readily  vouch- 
safed, and  my  grandfather  returned 
to  the  vintner's.  . 


'*if 


CHAPTER    VIIL 

When  my  grandfather  had  returned 
to  the  vintner's,  he  found  that  Elspa 
had  conferred  with  Lucky  Kilfauns 


concerning  the  atllicting  end  and  in- 
tent of  her  journey  to   St  Andrews ; 
and  that  decent  woman  sympatlii.sing 
with  her  sorrow,  telling  her  of  many 
woful  things  of  the  name  sort  she  had 
herself  known,  and  how  a  cousin  of 
her  mother's,  by  the  father's  side,  had 
been  wiled. a  way  from  her  home  by  the 
abbot  of  Melrose,    and   never   heard 
tell  of  for  many  a  day,  till  she  was 
discovered,  in  the  condition  of  a  dis- 
consolate nun,  in  a  convent,  far  away 
in  Nithsdale.      lint  the  great  didiculty 
was  to  get  access    to  Marion  Piuet's 
bower,  for  so,  from  that  day,  was  Mrs 
Kilspinnie  called  again  by  her  sister ; 
and,  after  no  little  communing,  it  was 
proposed    by  Lucky   Kilfauns,     that 
Elspa  should  go  with  her  to  the  house 
of  a  certain   widow    Dingwall,    and 
there  for  a  time  take  up  her   abode, 
and  that  my  grandfather,  after  putting 
on    the   Prior's   livery,     should   look 
about  liim  for  the   gilly,  his  former 
guide,  and.  through  him,  make  a  tryst, 
to  meet  the  unhappy  woman,  at  the 
widow's  house.      Accordingly  the  mat- 
ter was  so  settled,  and  while  Lucky 
Kilfauns,  in  a  most  motherly  and  piti- 
ful manner,  carried  Elspa  Kuet  to  the 
house  of  the   Widow   Dingwall,    my 
grandfather  went  back  to  the  priory  to 
get  the  cloak  and  arms  of  the  Lord 
James'  livery. 

When  he  was  equipped,  he  then 
went  fearless  all  about  the  town,  and 
met  with  no  molestation  ;  only  he  saw 
at  times  divers  of  the  Archbisliop's 
men,  who  recollected  him,  and  who,  as 
ho  passed,  stopped  and  looked  after 
hin\  and  whispered  to  one  another  and 
u- jttered  fierce  words.  Much  he  de- 
sired to  fall  in  with  that  humane  Sama- 
ritan, Leonard  jMeldnim,  the  seneschal 
of  the  castle  and  fain  would  he  have 
gone  thither  to  inquire  for  him  ;  but, 
until  he  had  served  the  turn  of  the 
mournful  Elspa  Ruet,  ho  would  not 
allow  any  wish  of  his  own  to  lead  him 
to  aught  wherein  there  was  the  hazard 


64 


MNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


of  any  trouble  that  might  balk  her 
pious  i)ur|iose. 

After  daunernifj  from  place  to  place, 
and  seeing  notliing  of  tlie  stripling,  ho 
was  obligated  to  give  twaljjcnnies  to  a 
stablcr's  lad  to  search  for  him,  who  soon 
broiiglit  liim  to  tlie  vintner's,  where  my 
grandfather,  j  ntting  on  the  look  of  a 
losel  and  rois'.er,  gave  him  a  groat,  and 
bade  him  go  to  the  madam's  dwelling, 
and  tell  her  that  ho  would  be  at  the 
Widow  Dingwall's  in  tlie  evening, 
where  he  would  rejoice  exceedingly  if 
she  could  come  and  meet  him. 

The  stripling  so  fee'd,  was  right 
glad,  and  made  himself  so  familiar 
towards  my  grandfatlier,  that  Lucky 
Kilfauns  observing  it,  the  better  to  con- 
ceal their  plot,  feigned  to  be  most  ob- 
streperous, flyting  at  him  with  all  her 
pith  an  bir,  and  chiding  my  grandfather, 
as  being  as  scant  of  grace  as  a  gaber- 
lunzie,  or  a  novice  of  the  Dominicans. 
However, they  worked  so  well  together, 
that  the  gilly  never  misdoubted  either 
her  or  my  grandfather,  and  took  the 
errand  to  his  mistress,  from  whom  he 
soon  came  with  a  light  foot  and  a 
glaikit  eye,  saying  she  would  na  fail  to 
keep  the  ti'yst. 

On  receiving  the  assurance,  Lucky 
Kilfauns  herself  undertook  to  tell 
Elspa  wliat  had  been  covenanted  to 
prepare  her  for  the  meeting.  My 
grandfather  would  fain  have  had  a 
milder  mediatrix,  for  the  vintner's 
worthy  wife  was  wroth  against  the  er- 
ring one,  while  her  sister  grieved  for 
her  unregenerate  condition  far  more 
than  if  she  had  come  from  Crail  to  St 
Andrews  only  to  Lay  her  head  in  the 
coffin. 

The  paction  between  all  parties 
being  thus  covenanted,  and  Lucky 
Kilfauns  gone  to  prepare  the  fortitude 
of  Elspa  Iluet  for  the  trial  it  was  to 
undergo,  my  grandfather  walked  out 
alone  to  pass  the  time  till  the  trysted 
hour.  It  was  then  late  in  the  after- 
noon, and  as  he  sauntered  along  he 


could  not  but  observe  that  something 
was  busy  with  the  min<l8  and  imagina- 
tions of  the  people.  Knots  of  the 
douce  and  elderly  8hopk(!epers  were 
seen  standing  in  the  streets  with  their 
heads  laid  together ;  and  as  he  walked 
towards  tlie  i)riory  he  met  tlie  provost 
between  two  of  the  bailies,  witli  t'lo 
dean  of  guild  coming  sedately,  and 
with  very  great  solenmity  in  their 
countenances,  down  the  crown  of  the 
causey,  heavily  laden  with  magisterial 
fears.  He  stopped  to  look  i\t  them, 
and  he  remarked  that  they  said  very 
little  to  one  another,  but  what  they  did 
say  seemed  to  be  words  of  weight ;  and 
when  any  of  their  friends  and  acquain- 
tances happened  to  pass,  they  g.-n  o 
them  a  nod  that  betokened  muci'  5»nd. 
ness  of  heart. 

The  cause  of  all  tliis  anxiety  was 
not,  in  its  effects  and  influence,  meted 
only  to  tiie  men  and  magistrates  :  tiio 
women  partook  of  tlieni  even  to  a 
greater  degree.  They  were  seen  pass- 
ing from  house  to  house,  out  at  one 
door  and  into  the  next,  and  their  faces 
were  full  of  strange  matters.  One  in 
particular,  whom  my  grandfather  no- 
ticed coming  along,  was  often  addressed 
with  brief  questions,  and  her  responses 
were  seemingly  as  awful  as  an  oracle's. 
She  was  an  aged  tarlin,  who,  in  her 
day  had  been  a  nurse,  but  having  in 
course  of  time  waxed  old,  and  being 
then  somewhat  slackened  in  the  joints 
of  the  ric,at  side  by  a  paralytic,  she 
eked  out  the  weakly  remainder  of  her 
thread  of  life  in  visitations  among  the 
families  that,  in  her  abler  years,  she 
had  tended  in  times  of  sickness. 

As  she  came  toddling  along,  with 
pitty-patty  steps,  in  a  rose  satin  man- 
tle that  she  got  as  a  gift,  drawn  close 
over  her  head,  and  leaning  on  a  staff 
with  her  right  hand,  while  in  her  left 
she  carried  a  Flanders  pig  of  strong 
ale,  with  a  clout  o'er  the  mouth  to 
keep  it  from  jawping,  scarcely  a  door 
or  entry  mouth  was  she  allowed  to 


RING  AN  GTLHATZE. 


08 


sho 


pass,  but  hIic  -was  ohli^^utcd  to  stoi) 
and  spoak,  .iiiil  wliat  slio  said  appeared 
to  bo  tidiiips  of  no  comfort. 

All  these  tiiinf,'s  bred  wonder  nnd 
curiosity  in  the  breast  of  my  {,'rand- 
father,  who,  not  beinj,'  aotjiiaint  with 
nnybody  that  ho  saw,  did  not  like  for 
8ome  time  to  inipiire  ;  but  at  last  his 
ditlidence  andmodesty  were  overcome, 
by  the  appearance  of  a  strong  party  of 
the  Archbishop's  armed  retainers,  fol- 
lowed by  a  mob  of  bairns  aiidstriplinffs, 
yelliufr,  and  scollinfjat  them  with  bit- 
ter taunts  and  many  titles  of  derision  ; 
and  on  inquiring;  at  a  laddie  what  had 
caused  the  consternation  in  the  town, 
and  the  passage  of  so  many  soldiers 
from  the  castle,  he  was  told  that  they 
expected  John  Knox  the  day  follow- 
ing, and  that  he  Avas  mindet  to  preach, 
but  the  Archbishop  has  resolved  not  to 
let  him.  It  Wiia  even  so  ;  for  the  Lord 
tJames  Stuart,  who  possessed  a  deeji 
and  forecasting  spirit,  had,  soon  after 
my  grandfather's  arrival  Avith  the  lie- 
former's  answer,  made  the  news  known 
to  try  the  tem])er  of  the  inhabitants 
and  burghers.  JJut,  saving  this  mar- 
velling and  jircparation,  nothing  far- 
ther of  a  public  nature  took  place  that 
niglit ;  so  that  a  sliort  time  before  the 
liour  appointed,  my  grandfather  went 
to  the  house  of  \Vidow  Dingwall, 
where  he  found  Klspa  Jtuet  sitting 
very  disconsolate  in  a  chamber  by  her- 
self, weei-ing  bitterly  and  fearing 
greatly  that  all  her  kind  endeavours 
jmd  hund)l(!  prayers  would  be  but  as 
water  spilt  on  the  ground. 

As  tlie  time  of  apijointmont  drew 
near,  Elspa  Jluet  was  enabled  to  call 
in  her  wandering  and  anxious  thoughts, 
and,  strengthened  by  her  duty,  the 
blessing  of  the  tranquil  mind  was  shed 
upon  her.  Her  tears  were  dried  up, 
and  her  countenance  shone  with  a 
serene  benignity.  When  she  was  an 
aged  withered  woman,  my  grandfather 
lias  been  heard  to  say  that  he  never 
remembered  her  appearance  without 


marvelling  at  tlie  spi.'cial  t  fl'tision  of 
holiness  and  beauty  which  l)eameJ 
and  brightened  upon  her  in  that  try- 
ing hour,  nor  without  thinking  tliat  ho 
still  beheld  the  glory  of  its  twilight 
glowing  through  the  dark  and  faded 
clouds  of  her  old  age. 

They  had  not  sat  long  when  a  tap- 
ping was  heard  at  tlie  widow's  door, 
and  my  grandfather,  starting  up,  re- 
tired into  a  distant  corner  of  the  room, 
behind  a  big  napery  press,  and  sat 
down  in  the  obscurity  of  its  shadow. 
Klspa  remained  in  her  seat  beside  tlio 
table,  on  which  a  candle  was  burning, 
and,  as  it  stood  behind  the  door,  sho 
could  not  be  seen  by  any  coming  in, 
till  they  had  passed  into  the  middle  of 
the  floor. 

In  little  more  than  the  course  of  a 
minute,  tlio  voice  of  her  sister  was 
heard,  and  light  footsteps  on  the 
timber  stair.  The  door  was  then 
opened,  and  Marion  entered.  I'^lspa 
started  from  her  seat.  Ilie  guilty  and 
convicted  creature  uttered  a  shriek ; 
but  in  the  same  moment  her  pious 
sister  clasped  her  with  loviuL'-kind- 
ness  in  her  arms,  and  bursting  into 
tears,  wept  bitterly,  with  sore  sobs, 
for  some  time  on  her  bosom. 

After  a  short  space  of  time,  with 
confusion  of  face,  iMarion  disengaged 
herself  from  her  sister's  fond  and  sor- 
rowful embraces,  and,  retreating  to  a 
chair,  sat  down. 

After  a  long,  faithful,  and  un- 
daunted effort  on  the  part  of  J'Jspa  to 
reach  the  sore  of  her  sinful  conscience, 
she  saw  that  all  her  cttling  was  of  no 
avail,  and  her  heart  .sank,  and  s!io 
began  to  weep,  saying — "  O,  Clarion, 
Marion,  ye  w  re  my  dear  si.ster  ance  ; 
but  frao  this  night,  if  ye  leave  me  to 
gang  again  to  your  sins,  I  hope  the 
Lord  will  erase  the  love  I  bear  you 
utterly  out  of  my  heart,  and  leave  me 
but  the  remembrance  of  what  ye  were 
when  we  were  twa  wee  playicg  lassies, 
clapping  our  young  hands,  and  sing- 


m 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


iag  for  joy  in  the  bonny  spring  morn- 
ings that  will  never,  never  come  again." 

The  guilty  INIarion  was  touched 
with  her  sorrow,  and  for  a  moment 
seemed  +o  relent  and  melt,  replying 
in  0  softened  accent — 

"  But  tell  me,  lippie,  for  ye  hao 
na  telt  me  yet,  how  did  ye  Icav-^e  my 
•  weans? " 

'•  '\\'ould  you  like  to  see  them  ?  " 
said  Elspa,  eagerly. 

"  I  would  na  like  to  gang  to  Crail," 
replied  her  sister,  thoughtfully ;  "  but 
if "  and  she  hesitated. 

"Surely,  Marion,"  exclaimed  Elspa, 
with  indignation,  "  ye're  no  sae  lost 
to  all  shame  as  to  wish  your  innocent 
dochters  to  see  you  in  the  midst  of 
your  iniquities  ?  " 

Marion  reddened,  and  sat  abashed 
and  rebuked  for  a  sliort  time  in  silence, 
and  then  reverting  to  her  children, 
she  said,  somewhat  humbly — 

"  But  tell  me  how  they  are — poor 
things  ! " 

"  They  are  as  weel  as  can  be  hoped 
for,"  replied  Elspa,  moved  liy  her 
altered  manner ;  "  but  they'll  lang 
miss  tiie  loss  of  their  mother's  care. 
(),  jNIarion,  how  could  yc  quit  them  ! 
Tlio  beasts  that  perish  are  kinder  to 
tlicir  young,  for  they  nourish  and 
jirotect  them  till  they  can  do  for  them- 
selves ;  but  your  wee  I\Iay  can  neither 
yet  gang  Jior  speak.  She's  your  very 
picMire,  Marion." 

Tiie  wretched  mother  was  unable 
to  resist  the  energy  of  her  sister's  ap- 
peal, and,  bursting  into  tears,  we[it 
bitterly  for  some  time. 

li^lspa,  compassionating  her  contri- 
tion, rose,  and,  taking  her  kindly  by 
tlio  band,  said — "  Come,  iSlnrion, 
we'll  gang  hamc — let  us  leave  this 
gnihy  city— let  us  tarry  no  longer 
williiii  its  walls — tlie  cnrso  of  Ile;iven 
is  darkening  over  it,  and  the  storm  of 
the  hatred  of  its  corruption  is  begin- 
ning to  ligiiten  : — let  ua  fleo  from  the 
wrath  that  is  to  come.'' 


"ill  no  gang  back  to  Crail — I 
dare  na  gang  there — every  one  would 
hand  out  their  fingers  at  me — I  canna 
gang  to  Crail — Eppie,  dinua  bid  me — 
I'll  mak  away  wi'  mysel'  before  I'll 
gang  to  Crail." 

'•Dinna  say  that,"  replied  her 
sister.  "  O,  Marion,  if  ye  felt  within 
the  humiliation  of  a  true  penitent,  ye 
would  na  speak  that  way,  but  would 
cmiie  and  hide  your  face  in  your  poor 
mother's  bosom  ;  often,  often,  Marion, 
did  she  warn  you  no  to  be  ta'en  up 
wi'  the  pride  an'  bravery  of  a  tine 
outside." 

"Ye  may  gang  hame  yoursel'," 
exclaimed  the  impenitent  woman, 
starting  from  her  seat ;  "  I'll  no  gang 
wi'  you  to  be  looket  down  on  by  every 
one.  And  what  would  I  hae  to  live 
on  wi'  my  mother?  She's  pinched 
enough  for  her  ain  support." 

"  Sliame  upon  you,  shame!"  re- 
plied Elspa,  fervently.  "  But  the 
sweet  Heavens,  in  their  gracious  hour 
of  mercy,  will  remember  the  hope 
that  led  me  here,  and  some  day  Avork 
out  a  blessed  change.  The  prayers  of 
an  afHicted  parent,  and  the  cries  of 
your  desolate  babies,  will  assun-dly 
bring  down  upon  you  the  purifying 
iires  of  self-condemnation.  Though 
a  wicked  pride  at  this  time  withholds 
you  from  submitting  to  the  humilia- 
tion which  is  the  just  penalty  of  your 
offences,  still  the  day  is  not  far  off 
when  you  Avill  come  begging  for  a 
morsel  of  bread  to  those  that  weep 
for  your  fall,  and  implore  you  to 
eschew  tlie  evil  of  your  way." 

'J'o  tliese  words,  which  were  sjioken 
as  with  the  vehemence  of  proi)hecy, 
till!  miserable  Avoman  made  no  answer, 
Initpluckeil  her  hand  shnrpjy  from  her 
sister's  earnest  pressure,  and  quitted 
the  room  with  :i  flash  of  anger.  My 
grandfather  tlien  conveyed  the  mourn- 
ful Elspa  back  to  the  house  of  Lucky 
Kilfauns,  and  returned  to  the  priory. 
The  next  day,  Elspa  Iluet,  under 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


67 


the  escorting  of  my  grandfather,  was 
nunded  to  have  gone  home  to  Crail,  but 
the  news  that  John  Ivjiox  was  to  preach 
on  tlie  morrow  at  St  Andrews  had 
Bpread  far  and  wide.  Ko  niiin  could 
tfU  l)y  what  wonderful  revtrberation 
the  tidiiifjs  had  aw.-ikened  the  whole 
land.  From  all  quarters  droves  of 
the  licformed  and  the  pious  c.ime 
pressing  to  the  gates  of  the  city,  like 
bheep  to  the  fold  and  doves  to  the 
windows.  The  Archbishop  and  the 
priests  and  friars  were  smitten  with 
dread  and  consternation  ;  the  doom  of 
their  fortunes  was  evident  in  the  dis- 
traction of  their  minds  ;  but  the  Karl 
of  Argyle  and  the  Lord  James  Stuart, 
at  the  priory,  remained  calm  and  col- 
lected. 

Foreseeing  that  the  step  they  had 
taken  would  soon  be  visited  by  the 
wrath  of  the  (^ueen  Regent,  they  re- 
solved to  ,  '•epare  for  the  "-orft,  and 
my  grjmdfatl'or  was  ordercvl  to  hold 
himself  in  readiness  for  a  journey. 
'J  lius  was  he  prevented  fiom  going  to 
('rail. with  Elspa  Kiiet,  who,  with  a 
heavy  heart,  went  back  in  the  evening 
with  the  man  and  horses  that  broiiglit 
the  lleformerto  the  town.  For  .John 
Knox,  though  under  tiie  ban  of  out- 
lawry, was  so  encouraged  with  in- 
ward assurances  from  on  High,  tiiat 
he  came  openl"  to  the  gate,  and  passed 
111)  t''*-'  CTOwn  . '  the  causey  on  to  the 
priory,  in  the  presei  cc  of  the  Arch- 
bishop's guards,  of  all  Mie  people,  and 
of  the  astonislied  and  die  uayed  priest- 
hood. 

As  soon  as  the  Anticnrist  heard  of 
his  arrival,  he  gave  order.'*  for  all  his 
armed  retainers,  to  the  number  of 
more  than  a  hi.ndred  men  at  arms,  to 
assemble  in  the  cloisters  of  tlie  monas- 
tery of  the  Hlai  kfriars  ;  for  he  was  a 
man  of  a  soldi*  liy  synrit.  and  tlumgh 
a  loose  and  immoral  cliurclnnan,  would 
have  made  a  valiant  warrior;  and 
going  thither  himself,  he  thence  sent 
word  to  the  Lord  James  Stmvrt  at  the 


priory,  that  if  John  Knox  dared  to 
preach  in  the  cathedral,  as  Avaa 
threatened,  be  would  order  his  guard 
to  lire  on  him  in  die  pulpit. 

My  grandfather,  wirh  others  oi  the 
retinue  of  the  two  noblemen,  had  ac- 
companieil  the  Archbishop's  messen- 
ger into  the  Pr:or'.s  chamber,  where 
they  were  eitting  with  John  Kncx 
when  this  b'-ld  challenge  to  the  cliani- 
pion  of  Chrii>;'r  cau.«e  was  delivered ; 
and  it  was  plain  that  both  Arj^yle  and 
tha  Ijord  Jauies  were  daunted  by  it, 
for  they  well  knew  the  fearlessness 
an<i  the  fierceness  of  their  consecrated 
adversary. 

After  the  messenger  had  retired, 
and  the  Lord  James,  in  a  particular 
manner,  had  tacitly  signified  to  my 
grandfather  to  remain  in  the  room, 
and  had  taken  a  slip  of  paper,  he  be- 
gan to  write  thereon,  while  Argyle 
said  to  the  Kt-fonner — 

"  Master  Kno.x,  this  is  what  we 
could  na  but  c-xpect ;  and  though  it 
may  seem  like  a  misdooting  of  our 
cause  now  to  des^Lst,  I'm  in  a  swither 
if  ye  shoald  tnak  the  attempt  to 
preach."' 

The  Reformer  made  no  answer ; 
and  the  Lord  James,  laying  down  his 
pen,  also  s;iid — "My  thoughts  run 
wi'  Argyle'*.  considering  the  weaknes.s 
of  our  train  and  the  Archbishop's 
preparations,  with  hi.s  own  regardless 
character. — I  do  think  we  should  for 
a  while  rest  in  our  intent.  The  Queen 
Kigeut  has  come  to  Falkland  wi'  her 
French  force,  and  we  are  in  no  condi- 
tion to  opf*o«e  their  entrance  into  the 
town  ;  beside*,  your  appearance  in  the 
pulpit  may  lead  tothe.«<icrificeof  youf 
own  most  preciotw  life,  and  the  lives 
of  many  others  who  will  no  doubt 
stand  forth  in  your  defence.  Whether, 
thtrefure.  you  ought,  in  such  a  pre- 
dicament, totliiik  of  preaching,  ia  a 
thing  to  be  well  con-^tidered.' 

"  In  the  strength  of  the  Lord,'' 
exclaimed  Johii  Knox,  with  the  voice 


6d 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


of  an  apostlo,  "  T  will  preach.  God  is 
»ny  witness  that  I  novel'  prcaclied  in 
contempt  of  any  man,  nor  would  I 
•willingly  injure^  any  creature  ;  but  I 
cannot  delay  my  call  to-morrow  if  I 
tarn  not  hindered  by  violence.  As  for 
the  fear  of  danger  that  may  come  to 
]ne,  let  no  man  be  solicitous  ;  for  my 
life  is  in  the  custody  of  lIiM  whose 
glory  I  seek,  and  threats  will  not  de- 
ter me  from  my  duty  Avhen  Heaven  so 
ofTereth  the  occasion.  1  desire  neither 
the  hand  nor  the  weapon  of  man  to 
defend  me  ;  I  only  crave  audience, 
Avliich,  if  it  be  denied  to  me  hero  at 
this  time,  I  nmst  seek  where  I  may 
have  it.'' 

The  manner  and  confidence  with 
which  this  Avas  spoken  silenced  and 
rebuked  the  two  temporal  noblemen, 
and  they  offered  no  more  remon- 
strance, but  submitted  as  servants,  to 
pave  the  way  for  this  intent  of  his 
courageous  piety.  Accordingly,  after 
remaining  a  short  time,  as  if  in  expec- 
tation to  hear  what  tiie  Earl  of  Argyle 
might  further  liave  to  say,  the  Lord 
James  Stuart  took  up  his  pen  again, 
and  when  he  had  comitletod  his  writ- 
ing, he  gave  the  jiaper  to  my  grand- 
fatlier, — (it  was  a  list  of  .some  ten  or 
twelve  names,)  — saying,  "Make  haste, 
Gilhaize,  and  let  these,  our  friends  in 
Angus,  know  the  state  of  peril  in 
Avhich  we  stand.  Tell  them  what  lias 
chanced  ;  how  the  gauntlet  is  thrown  ; 
and  that  our  champion  has  taken  it  up, 
and  is  prepared  for  the  onset." 

]\Ly  grandfather  forthwith  departed 
on  ids  errand,  and  spared  not  the 
spur  till  he  had  delivered  his  message 
to  every  one  wlioso  nam(;s  were  writ- 
ten in  the  paper  ;  and  their  sculs  were 
kiuillod  and  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
quickened  in  their  hearts. 

The  roads  sparkled  with  the  feet 
of  summoning  horsemen,  and  tlie 
towns  rung  with  the  sound  of  warlike 
preparations. 

Ou   the   third   day,   towards    the 


afternoon,  my  grandfather  embarked 
at  Dundee  on  his  return,  and  was 
landed  at  the  Fife  waterside.  There 
were  many  in  the  boat  with  him  ;  and 
it  was  remarked  by  some  among  them 
that  for  several  days  no  one  had  Ijoeu 
observed  to  smile,  and  that  all  men 
seemed  in  the  expectation  of  some 
great  jvent. 

The  weather  being  loun  and  very 
sultry,  he  travelled  slowly  witli  those 
who  were  bound  for  .St  Andrews,  con- 
versing with  them  on  the  troubles  of 
the  time,  and  the  clouds  that  were 
gathering  and  darkening  over  ]ioor 
Scotland ;  but  every  one  spoke  from 
the  faith  of  his  own  bosom,  that  the 
terrors  of  the  storm  would  not  be  of 
long  duration, — so  confident  were 
those  unlettered  men  of  the  goodness 
of  C.'iu'ist's  cause  in  that  epoch  of 
tribulation. 

AVhile  they  were  thus  communing 
together,  they  came  in  sight  of  tho 
city,  with  its  coronal  of  golden  spires, 
and  J5abylonian  pride  of  idolatrous 
towers,  and  they  halted  for  a  moment 
to  contemplate  the  gorgeous  insolence 
with  which  Antichrist  had  there  built 
up  and  invested  tlie  blood-stained 
throne  of  his  blasphemous  usur])ation. 

'•The  walls  of  Jericho,"  said  one 
of  the  travellers,  "  fell  at  tho  sound 
l)ut  of  rams'  horns,  and  shall  yon 
l?abel  withstand  tho  preaching  of 
John  Knox  V  " 

Scarcely  had  he  said  these  words, 
when  the  glory  of  its  magnifleeneo 
was  wrapt  witli  a  shroud  of  dust ;  a 
dreadful  peal  of  thunder  came  rolling 
soon  after,  thougii  not  a  spark  of 
vapour  was  seen  in  all  the  ether  of 
the  blue  fky  ;  and  the  rumble  of  a 
dreadful  destruction  was  then  heard. 
My  grandfather  clapped  s^iurs  to  his 
horse,  and  galloped  on  towards  tho 
town.  'J'he  clouds  rose  thicker,  and 
filled  the  wliole  air.  Shouts  and  cries, 
as  he  drew  near,  were  mingled  with 
the  crivsh  of    falling   cdiliccs.     Tlio 


RTNGAN  GILIIAIZE. 


09 


earth  trcmblod,  and  his  horse  stood 
still,  roi^ardless  of  the  rowels,  as  if  it 
had  seen  the  angel  of  the  Lord  stand- 
ing in  his  way.  On  all  sides  monks 
and  nuns  came  flying  from  tlie  town, 
Avringing  their  hands  as  if  the  horrors 
of  tlie  last  judgment  had  surprised 
them  in  tlieir  sins.  The  guards  of 
the  Archbishop  were  scattered  among 
them  like  eliaflf  in  the  swirl  of  the 
■wind  ;  tlien  his  Grace  came  himself  on 
Sir  David  Hamilton's  fleet  mare,  with 
Sir  David  and  divers  of  liis  household 
fast  following.  'J  lie  wrath  of  Heaven 
was  behind  them,  and  they  rattled 
past  my  grandfainer  like  the  distem- 
peicil  phantoms  that  hurry  through 
the  dreams  of  dying  men. 

jMy  {grandfather's  horse  at  last 
obeyed  tlic  spur,  and  he  rode  on  and 
into  tlie  city,  the  gates  of  which  Avcre 
deserted.  Tliere  he  beheld  on  all 
sides  that  the  Lord  had  indeed  put 
the  besom  of  destruction  into  the 
hands  of  the  lleformers,  and  that  not 
one  of  all  the  buildings  which  had 
been  polluted  by  the  j)apistry, — no, 
not  one  iiad  escaped  the  erasing  fierce- 
ness of  its  ruinous  s\vee]>.  'J  lie  pre- 
sence of  tlie  magistrates  lent  the  grace 
of  authority  to  the  zeal  of  the  people, 
and  all  things  were  done  in  order. 
The  idols  were  torn  down  from  the 
altars,  and  deliberately  broken  by  the 
children  with  lianuners  into  pieces. 
There  was  no  speaking, — all  was  done 
in  silence ;  the  noi.se  of  the  falling 
churciies,  the  rending  of  the  shrines, 
nnd  the  breaking  of  the  images  were 
the  only  sounds  heard.  lUit  for  all 
that,  the  zeal  of  not  a  few  was,  even 
in  tlie  midst  of  their  dread  solenniity, 
alloyed  with  covetousness.  ISIy  grand- 
father himself  saw  one  of  the  Town 
Council  slip  the  bald  head,  in  silver, 
of  one  of  tho  twelve  apostles  into  his 
pouch. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Thk  triumph  of  the  truth  at  St 
Andrews  was  followed  by  the  vic- 
torious establishment,  from  that  day 
thenceforward,  of  the  Keformation  in 
Scotland.  The  precautions  taken  by 
the  deep  forecasting  mind  of  the  Lord 
James  Stuart,  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  my  grandfather  and 
others,  were  of  inexpressible  benefit 
to  the  righteous  cause.  It  was  fore- 
seen that  the  Queen  llegent,  who  had 
come  to  Falkland,  would  be  prompt 
to  avenge  tho  discomfiture  of  her  sect, 
the  papists ;  but  the  zealous  friends 
of  tho  Gospel,  seconding  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  Lords  of  the  Congrega- 
tion, enabled  them  to  set  all  her  power 
at  defiance. 

With  an  attendance  of  few  more 
than  a  hundred  horse,  and  about  as 
many  foot,  the  Earl  of  Argylc  and  the 
Lord  James  set  out  from  St  Andrews 
to  frustrate,  as  far  as  the  means  they 
had  concerted  might,  the  wrathful 
measures  which  they  well  knew  her 
Highness  would  take.  But  this  small 
force  was  by  the  next  morning  in- 
creased to  full  three  thousand  fighting 
men  ;  and  so  ardently  did  the  spirit  of 
enmity  and  resistance  against  the 
papacy  spread,  that  tho  Queen  lle- 
gent, when  she  came  with  her  French 
troops  and  her  Scottish  levies,  under 
the  command  of  the  Duke  of  Chatel- 
herault,  to  Cupar,  found  that  she 
durst  not  encounter  in  battle  the  grow- 
ing strength  of  the  Congregation,  so 
she  consented  to  a  truce,  and,  as  usual 
in  her  dissimulating  policy,  promised 
many  things  which  she  never  intended 
to  perform.  l>ut  the  Protestants,  by 
this  time  knowing  that  the  papists 
never  meant  to  kee[)  their  pactions 
with  them,  discovering  the  policy  of 
her  Highness,  silently  moved  onward. 
They  proceeded  to  P(.'rtii,  and  having 
expelled  the  garrison,  took  the  town, 
and  fired  tho  abbey  of  Scene.    But  as 


70 


RINGAN  GILHATZE, 


my  grandfather  was  not  with  them  in 
those  raitb,  beinjif  sent  on  tlie  night  of 
the  great  demolition  at  St  Andrews  to 
apprise  the  Earl  of  Gloncfvirn,  iiis 
patron,  of  the  extremities  to  which 
mattirs  liad  come  there,  it  belongs 
not  to  tlie  scope  of  my  story  to  tell 
■what  ensued,  fartlier  tlian  that  from 
Perth  the  Congregation  proceeded  to 
Stirling,  where  they  demolished  the 
monasteries  ;  tlien  they  went  to  Lith- 
gow,  and  herret  the  nests  of  the  locusts 
there;  find  proceeding  bravely  on, 
purging  the  realm  as  they  went  for- 
Avard,  they  arrived  at  Edinburgh,  and 
constnined  the  Queen  Regent,  who 
was  before  them  with  her  forces  there, 
to  pack  up  her  ends  and  her  awls,  and 
make  what  speed  she  could  with  tliem 
to  Dunbar.  But  foul  as  the  capital 
then  was,  and  covered  with  tlie  leprosy 
of  idolatry,  they  were  not  long  in 
possession  till  they  so  medicated  her 
with  tlie  searching  medicaments  of  tiie 
Iveformation,  tliat  she  was  soon  scrapit 
of  idl  tiie  scurf  and  kell  of  her  abomi- 
nations. 'L'herc  was  not  an  idol  or  an 
imnoe  within  her  bounds  that,  in  less 
than  three  days,  was  not  beheaded 
like  a  traitor  and  trundled  to  the  dogs, 
even  with  vehemence,  as  a  thing  that 
could  be  sensible  of  contempt.  IJut 
as  all  these  things  are  set  forth  at  large 
in  the  chronicles  of  the  kingdom,  1ft 
it  suflico  to  say,  that  my  grandfather 
continued  for  nearly  two  years  after 
tliis  time  a  trusted  emissary  among 
the  Lords  of  the  Congregation,  in 
thiir  many  arduous  labours  and  peril- 
ous correspondencies,  till  the  Earl  of 
Glencairn  was  appointed  to  see  idola- 
try banished  and  extirpated  from  the 
West  Country, — in  which  expedition, 
his  Lordsliip,  being  minded  to  reward 
my  grandfather's  services  in  the  cause 
of  tlie  Reformation,  invited  him  to  bo 
of  his  force,  to  which  my  grandfather, 
not  jealousing  the  secularities  of  his 
patron's  intents,  joyfidly  agreed, 
hoping  to  Bee  tho  corner-stone  placed 


on  tho  great  edifice  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, Avhich  all  good  and  pious  men 
began  then  to  think  near  completion. 

Having  joined  the  Earl's  force  at 
Glasgow,  my  grandfather  went  for- 
ward with  it  to  Taisley.  Before 
reaching  that  town,  however,  they 
wore  met  by  a  numerous  multitude  of 
the  people,  half  way  between  it  cand 
tho  castle  of  Cruikstone,  and  at  their 
head  my  grandfather  was  blitlicned 
to  see  his  old  friend,  the  gentle  monk 
Dominick  Callender,  in  a  soldier's 
garb,  and  with  a  ruddy  and  embold- 
ened countenance,  and  by  his  side, 
with  a  sword  manfully  girded  on  hia 
thigh,  the  worthy  l?ailie  Pollock, 
whose  nocturnal  revels  at  the  abbey 
had  brought  such  dule  to  tho  win- 
some Maggy  Napier. 

For  some  reason,  wliich  my  grand- 
father never  well  understood,  there 
was  more  lenity  shown  to  the  abbey 
here  than  usual ;  but  the  monks  were 
rooted  out — tho  images  given  over  to 
destruction— and  tho  old  bones  and 
miraculous  crucifixes  were  either 
burnt  or  interred.  Less  damage, 
however,  was  done  to  tho  buildings 
tlian  many  expected,  partly  through 
the  exhortation  of  tlio  magistrates, 
wlio  were  desirous  to  preserve  so 
noble  a  building  for  a  Protestant 
church,  but  chiully  out  of  some  pac- 
tion or  covenant  secretly  entered 
into  anent  tho  distribution  of  the 
domains  and  property,  wherein  tho 
liouse  of  Hamilton  was  concerned, 
the  Duke  of  Chatelheraidt,  the  head 
tliereof,  notwithstanding  the  papist- 
ical nature  of  his  blood  and  kin, 
having  pomo  time  before  gone  over 
to  the  cause  of  tho  Congregation. 

The  work  of  tho  Reformation 
being  thus  abridged  at  Paisley,  tho 
Karl  of  Glencairn  went  forward  to 
Kilwinning,  where  he  was  less  .scrup* 
ulous  ;  for  liaving  himself  obtained  a 
grant  of  the  lands  of  tiio  abbacy,  ho 
was  fain  to  make  a  clean  hand  o't, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


71 


though  at  tlie  tinio   my  grandfather 
kuew  not  of  this. 

As  soon  as  the  army  reached  tlio 
town,  the  soldiers  went  straight  on 
to  the  abbey,  and  entering  tiie  great 
church,  even  while  the  monks  were 
chanting  their  paternosters,  they  be- 
gan to  show  the  errand  they  had 
come  on.  Dreadful  was  the  yell  that 
ensued,  when  my  grandfather,  going 
up  to  the  priest  at  the  higli  altar,  and 
pulling  him  by  the  scarlet  and  fine 
linen  of  his  pageantry,  bade  him 
decamp,  and  flung  the  toys  and 
trumpery  of  the  mass  after  him  as  he 
fled  away  in  fear. 

Tiiig  resolute  act  was  the  signal 
for  the  general  demolition,  and  it 
began  on  all  sides  ;  my  grandfather 
giving  a  leap,  caught  hold  of  a  fine 
effigy  of  the  Virgin  Mary  by  the  leg 
to  jiull  it  down  ;  but  it  proved  to  be 
the  one  which  James  Coom  the  smith 
had  mended,  for  the  leg  came  off,  and 
my  grandfatiier  fell  backwards,  and 
was  for  a  moment  stunned  by  his  fall. 
A  band  of  the  monks,  Avho  were 
standing  trembling  spectators,  made 
an  attempt,  at  seeing  this,  to  raise  a 
shout  of  a  miracle  ;  but  my  grand- 
father, in  the  same  moment  recover- 
ing himself,  siezed  the  Virgin's  timber 
It's,  «id  flung  it  with  violence  at  them, 
and  it  happened  to  strike  one  of  the 
fattest  of  the  flock  with  such  a  bir 
that  it  was  saiil  the  life  was  driven 
out  of  him.  This,  however,  was  not 
the  case  ;  for,  although  the  monk  was 
sorely  hurt,  he  lived  many  a  day 
after,  and  was  obligated,  in  his  aulil 
years,  whi'u  he  was  feckless,  to  be 
carried  from  door  to  door  on  a  hand- 
barrow,  begging  his  bread.  The 
wives,  I  have  heard  tell,  were  kindly 
to  him,  for  lie  was  a  jocose  carl ;  but 
the  weans  little  respected  his  grey 
Iiairs,  and  used  to  jeer  him  as  auld 
Father  Paternoster,  for  even  to  the 
last  he  adhered  to  his  beads.  It  was 
thought,  however,  by  a  certain  pious 


Protestant  gentlewoman  of  Irvine, 
that  before  his  death  he  got  a  cast  of 
grace  ;  for  one  day,  when  he  had  been 
carried  over  to  beg  in  that  town,  she 
gave  him  a  luggie  of  kail  owre  het, 
which  he  stirred  with  the  end  of  tho 
ebony  crucifix  at  his  girdle,  thereby 
showing,  as  she  said,  a  symptom  that 
it  held  a  lower  place  in  his  spiritual 
affections  than  if  he  had  been  as  sin- 
cere in  his  errors  as  he  let  wot. 

Although  my  grandfather  had  sus- 
tained a  severe  bruise  by  his  fall,  ho 
was  still  enabled,  after  he  got  on  iiis 
leg.s,  to  superintend  the  demolishment 
of  the  abbey  till  it  was  complete.  But 
in  the  evening,  when  he  took  up  his 
quarters  in  the  house  of  Theophilus 
Lugton  with  Donuniek  Callender,  who 
had  brought  on  a  party  of  tiie  Paisley 
lieformers,  he  was  so  stiff  and  sore 
that  he  thought  he  would  be  incom- 
petent to  go  over  next  day  with  tho 
force  that  the  Earl  missioned  to  herry 
the  Carmelyto  convent  at  Irvine. 
Dominick  Callender  had,  however, 
among  other  things,  learnt,  in  the 
abbey  of  Paisley,  the  salutary  virtues 
of  many  herbs,  and  how  to  decoct 
from  them  their  healing  juices ;  and 
he  instructed  Dame  Lugton  to  prepare 
an  efficacious  medicament,  that  not 
only  mitigated  the  anguish  of  the  pain, 
but  so  suppled  tho  stiffness  that  my 
grandfather  was  up  by  break  of  day, 
and  ready  for  tho  march,  a  renewed 
man. 

In  spenking  of  this,  he  has  been 
heard  to  say,  it  was  a  thing  much  to 
be  lamented,  that  when  the  regular 
abolition  of  the  monasteries  was  de- 
creed, no  care  was  taken  to  collect  the 
curious  knowledges  and  ancient  tradi- 
tionary skill  preserved  tiierein,  espe- 
cially in  what  pertained  to  the  cure  of 
maladies  ;  for  it  was  his  opinion — and 
many  were  of  the  same  mind — that 
among  the  friars  were  numbers  of 
potent  physicians,  and  an  art  in  the 
preparation  of  salves  and  syrups,  that 


s 


72 


RING  AN  GILHATZE. 


has  not  been  surpassed  by  the  Icax-ninp: 
of  the  coHetros.  But  it  is  not  niout 
that  I  should  detain  the  courteous 
reader  with  sucli  irrelcvaucies ;  the 
change,  however,  which  has  taken 
phice  in  the  reahn  in  all  things  per- 
taining to  life,  laws,  manners,  and 
conduct,  since  the  extirpation  of  the 
lloiiian  idolatry,  is,  from  the  per- 
feotest  report,  so  wonderful,  that  the 
inluibitants  can  scarcely  be  said  to  be 
the  same  race  of  people ;  f.nd,  there- 
fore, I  have  tliought  that  such  occa- 
sional ancestral  intimations  flight, 
though  they  proved  neither  edifying 
nor  instructive,  be  yet  deemed  worthy 
of  notation  in  tlie  brief  spaces  which 
thoy  hap[)en  herein  to  occupy.  Hut 
now.  returning  from  this  digression, 
I  will  take  up  again  the  tliread  and 
clue  of  mv  storj'. 

Tiie  Eirl  of  Gloncairn,  after  the 
abbey  of  Kilwinning  was  sacked,  went 
and  slept  at  Eglinton  Castle,  then  a 
stalwart  square  tower,  environed  with 
,1  wall  an(l  moat,  of  a  rude  and  un- 
known antiquity,  standing  on  a  gentle 
rising  ground  in  the  midst  of  a  bleak 
and  moorland  domain.  And  his 
Lordship  having  ordered  my  grand- 
fatlicr  to  come  to  him  betimes  in  the 
jnorning  with  twenty  chosen  men,  the 
discreetest  of  the  force,  for  a  special 
service  in  wliich  he  meant  to  employ 
him,  he  went  thither  accordingly, 
taking  with  him  Dominick  Callencler, 
and  twelve  godly  lads  from  Paisley, 
with  seven  others,  whom  he  had  re- 
marked in  the  marcli  from  Glasgow, 
as  under  tlie  manifest  guidance  of  a 
sedate  and  pious  temper. 

"NVhen  my  grandfather  with  his 
company  arrived  at  the  castle  yett, 
and  he  was  admitted  to  the  Earl  his 
patron,  his  Lordship  said  to  him,  more 
as  a  friend  than  a  master — 

"  I  am  in  the  hope,  Gilhaize,  tliat, 
after  this  day,  the  toilsome  and  peril- 
ous errands  on  which,  to  the  weal  of 
Scotland  and  the  true  church,  you  Lave 


been  so  meritoriously  missioned  ever 
since  you  were  retained  in  my  service, 
will  soon  be  brought  to  an  cud,  and 
that  you  will  enjoy  in  peace  the  re- 
ward you  have  earned  so  well,  that  I 
.am  better  pleased  in  bestowing  it  than 
you  can  be  in  the  receiving,  liut 
there  is  yet  one  task  which  I  must  put 
upon  you.  Hard  by  to  this  castle,  less 
than  a  mile  eastward,  stands  a  small 
convent  of  nuns,  who  have  been  for 
time  out  of  mind  under  the  protection 
of  the  Lord  Eglinton's  family,  and  he, 
having  got  a  grant  of  tlie  lands  be- 
longing to  their  house,  is  desirous 
that  they  should  bo  ilitted  in  an  ami- 
able manner  to  a  certain  street  in 
Irvine,  called  the  Kirkgatc,  where  a 
lodging  is  provided  for  tiiem.  To  do 
this  kindly  I  have  bethought  myself 
of  you,  for  I  know  iiot  in  all  my  force 
any  one  so  well  ciualified.  Have  you 
l)rovidod  yourself  with  the  twenty 
douce  men  that  I  ordered  you  to  bring 
hither?  " 

]My  grandfather  told  Ids  Lordship 
that  he  liad  done  as  he  was  ordered. 
'*  Tlien,"  resumed  the  Earl,  "  tako 
them  with  you,  and  this  mandate  to  the 
superior,  and  one  of  Eglinton's  men 
to  show  you  the  way ;  and  when  you 
have  conveyed  them  to  their  lodging, 
come  again  to  me." 

So  my  grandfather  did  as  lie  was 
directed  by  tlie  Earl,  and  marched 
eastward  with  his  men  till  he  came  to 
the  convent,  whicli  was  a  humble  and 
o)-derly  house,  witii  a  small  chapel  and 
a  tower,  that  in  after  times,  when  all 
the  other  buildings  Avere  erased,  was 
called  the  Stane  Castle,  and  is  known 
by  that  name  even  unto  this  day.  It 
stood  within  a  high  wall,  and  a  little 
gate,  with  a  stone  cross  over  the 
sanu\  led  to  the  porch. 

Compassionating  the  simple  and 
silly  sisterhood  within,  who,  by  their 
secj^uestration  from  the  world,  were 
l)i;come  as  innocent  as  birds  in  a  cage, 
my  grivudfathor  halted    his  men  at 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


73 


ver 
ice, 


some  distance  from  the  yett,  and 
goinj,'  forward,  rung  the  bell ;  to  the 
sound  of  wliich  an  aged  woman  an- 
swered, who,  on  being  told  he  had 
brought  a  letter  to  the  superior,  gave 
him  admittance,  and  conducted  him 
to  a  little  cliambcr,  on  the  one  side  of 
Avhichwasagrating,  where  the  superior, 
a  short  corpulent  matron,  thai  seemed 
to  bowl  rather  tlian  to  walk  as  she 
moved  along,  soon  made  her  appear- 
ance within. 

He  told  her  in  a  meek  manner, 
and  with  some  gentle  prefacing,  the 
purpose  of  his  visit,  and  showed  her 
tlie  Earl's  mandate  ;  to  all  which,  for 
some  time,  she  made  no  reply,  but 
she  was  evidently  much  moved ;  at 
last  she  gave  a  wild  skrcigh,  which 
brought  the  rest  of  the  nuns,  to  the 
number  of  thirteen,  all  rushing  into 
the  room.  Then  ensued  a  dreadful 
tempest  of  feminine  passions  and 
griefs,  intermingled  with  many  sup- 
])lications  to  many  a  saint ;  but  the 
jjowers  and  prerogatives  of  their  saints 
Were  abolished  in  Scotland,  and  they 
received  no  aid. 

Tliough  their  lamentation,  as  my 
grandfather  used  to  .siiy,  could  not  be 
recited  without  moving  to  mirth,  it 
was  ye<  io  full  of  maidenly  fears  and 
Bim])licity  at  the  time  to  him,  that  it 
fioemed  most  tender,  and  he  was  dis- 
turbed at  the  thought  of  driving  such 
fair  and  helpless  creatures  into  the 
bad  world  ;  but  it  was  his  duty  ; — so, 
after  sootliing  tiicni  as  well  as  he 
coidd,  and  representing  how  unavail- 
ing tlieir  refusal  to  go  Avould  be,  the 
superior  composed  her  grief,  and  ex- 
horting the  nuns  to  be  resigned  to 
their  cruel  fate,  which,  she  said,  was 
not  so  grievous  as  tliat  which  many  of 
the  saints  had  in  their  day  suffered, 
they  all  became  calm  and  prepared 
for  the  removal. 

ISIy  grandfather  told  them  to  take 
wilh  them  whatsoever  they  best  liked 
iu  the  house  ;  and  it  waa  a  moving 


sight  to  see  their  simplicity  therein. 
One  was  content  with  a  fiower-pot ; 
another  took  a  cage  in  which  she  had 
a  lintie ;  some  of  them  half -finished 
patterns  of  embroidery.  One  aged 
sister,  of  a  tall  and  spare  form, 
brought  away  a  flask  of  eye -water 
which  she  had  herself  distilled  ;  but, 
saving  the  superior,  none  of  them 
thought  of  any  of  the  valuables  of  the 
chapel,  till  my  grandfather  reminded 
tliem.  that  they  might  find  the  value 
of  silver  and  gold  hereafter,  even  in 
the  spiritual-minded  town  of  Irvine. 

There  was  one  young  and  graceful 
maiden  among  them  who  seemed  but 
little  moved  by  the  event ;  and  my 
grandfather  was  melted  to  sympathy 
and  sorrow  by  the  solemn  serenity  of 
her  deportment,  and  the  little  heed 
she  took  of  anything.  Of  all  the  nuns 
she  was  the  only  one  who  aj)peared  to 
have  nothing  to  care  for  ;  and  when 
they  were  ready,  and  came  forth  to  the 
gate,  instead  of  joining  in  their 
piteous  wailings  as  they  bade  their 
2)eaceful  home  a  long  and  last  fare- 
well, she  walked  forward  alone.  No 
sooner,  however,  had  she  passed  the 
yett,  than,  on  seeing  the  armed  com- 
pany without,  she  stood  still  like  a 
statue,  and  uttering  a  shrill  cry, 
fainted  away,  and  fell  to  the  ground. 
Every  one  ran  to  her  assistance  ;  but 
when  her  face  was  unveiled  to  give 
her  air,  Dominick  Callendcr,  who 
was  standing  by,  caught  her  in  his 
arms,  and  was  enchanted  by  a  fond 
and  strange  enthusiasm.  She  was 
indeed  no  other  than  the  young 
maiden  of  Paisley,  for  whom  he  had 
found  his  monastic  vows  the  heavy 
fetters  of  a  bondage  that  made  life 
scarcely  worth  possessing  ;  and  when 
nIic  was  recovered,  an  interciiange  of 
great  tenderness  took  place  between 
them,  at  wliich  the  superior  of  the 
convent  waxed  very  wroth,  and  the 
other  nuns  were  exceedingly  scanda- 
lized.    Uut  Magdalene  Sauchie,  for 


74 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


so  slic  Viua  called,  heeded  them  not ; 
for,  on  learning  that  popery  was  put 
down  in  the  land  by  law,  slie  openly 
declared,  that  she  renounced  Iut 
TOWS  ;  and  during  tlie  walk  to  Irvine, 
which  wa3  jimp  a  mile,  she  leant  upon 
the  arm  of  her  lover  :  aJid  they  were 
soon  after  married,  Dorainick  set- 
tling in  that  town  as  a  doctor  of 
physic,  whereby  he  afterwards  earned 
both  gold  and  reputation. 

liut  to  conclude  the  history  of  the 
convent,  which  my  grandfather  had 
in  this  gentle  manner  herret,  the  nuns, 
on  reaching  the  foot  of  the  Kirkgate, 
where  the  Countess  of  Eglintou  had 
provided  a  house  for  them,  began  to 
weep  anew  with  great  vehemence, 
fearing  that  their  holy  life  was  at  an 
end,  and  tiiat  they  would  be  tempted 
of  men  to  enter  into  the  temporalities 
of  the  married  state;  but  the  superior, 
on  iiearing  tliis  mournful  apprehen- 
sion, mounted  upon  the  steps  of  the 
tolbooth  stair,  and.  in  the  midst  of  a 
great  concourse  of  people,  she  lifted 
her  hands  on  high,  and  exclaimed,  iis 
with  the  voice  of  a  prophetess,  "  Fear 
not,  my  chaste  and  pious  dochters  ; 
for  your  sake  and  for  my  sake,  I  have 
an  assurance  at  this  moment  from  the 
Virgin  Mary  herself,  that  the  calamity 
of  the  marriage-yoke  will  never  be 
known  in  the  Kirkgate  of  Irvine,  but 
that  all  maidens  who  hereafter  may 
enter,  or  be  born  to  dwell  therein, 
shall  live  a  life  of  single  blessedness.'' 
Which  delightful  prediction  the  nuns 
were  so  happy  to  hear,  that  they  dried 
their  tears,  and  chanted  their  Ave 
!Miiria,  joyfully  proceeding  towards 
Iheir  appointed  habitation.  It  stood, 
as  I  have  been  told,  on  the  same  spot 
where  King  James  the  Sixth's  school 
was  afterwards  erected,  and  endowed 
out  of  the  spoils  of  the  Cnrmelytes' 
nionastery,  which,  on  the  same  day, 
was.  by  another  division  of  the  Earl 
of  Glencairn's  power,  sacked  and 
burnt  to  the  ground. 


When  my  grandfjitbor  ikhL  ui  the 
manner  rehearsed,  dipj>;»«i(fi  'of  nhose 
sisters  of  simplicity  in  tbf  Kii-kir^ite 
of  Irvine,  he  returned  tiack  iu  the 
afternoon  to  the  Earl  of  Cirl«L'!!iirn  at 
Eglinton  Castle  to  rejtortwiiill  hti  had 
done;  and  his  L  >rd-hip  itrnim.  in  a 
most  laudatory  manueT,  <ioaini<ea'ieil 
his  prudence  and  Biii<ruhu  ru  D  iness  of 
nature,  mentioning  io  tbf  Eirl  and 
Countess  of  Eglinton,  iib«!D  pn-i'ient 
with  him,  divers  of  Ibf  miHhi«in9 
wherein  he  had  been  eajjoo-ji'ii,  ex- 
tolling his  zeal,  and  alKix*-  .ill  hia 
piety.  And  the  Lady  Eiriiutioii.  who 
was  a  household  charactar.  smriiig, 
with  great  frugality,  to  awr^'rn';  the 
substance  of  her  Lord,  lir  t«'*t  inir  her 
maidens  from  morning  ^  o  iiU'-  i  ■^j>  U^nt 
at  work,  some  at  their-  ^.-;.irnnj 
drums,  and  some  at  th-:.'  v.;-ir,iff3, 
managing  all  within  tht  ciafJiie  that 
pertained  to  her  feuiinlDt'  3 jut;  in  a 
way  most  exemplary  to  *L*  ttuiwa  of 
her  time  and  degree,  indwid  «i>  Lulieg 
of  all  times  and  degrees.  j>rca!ii*tiil  my 
grandfather  that  when  he  -wat  aiunried, 
she  woulii  give  his  wife  fi{'ii>*niiiji<f  to 
help  the  plenishing  of  their  Vj'^iae.  for 
the  meek  mannt  r  in  wldciii  ht  h.id 
comported  himself  toward  btir  friend, 
the  superior  of  the  nuns.  Tliifta  the 
Earl  of  Glencairn  said. — 

"  Gilhaize,  madam,  is  nc'w  Ma  <;wti 
master,  and  may  choose  a  ixriifi*  when 
it  pleases  himself ;  for  I  hum  cove- 
nanted with  my  friend,  joixr  Lfini,  to 
let  him  have  the  mailing  c4  (QiKi.irist, 
in  excambio  for  certain  c>f  ilW  tin- la 
of  late  pertaining  to  the  iJbftiwy  of 
Kilwinning,  the  which  lie  ii>c»w  winhin 
the  vicinage  of  this  tatait-:  xad^ 
(Jilhaizo,  here  is  my  wamoait  tti*  Bake 
possession." 

With  these  words  ttic  TLirt  rnae 
and  presented  him  witli  a  ',i.!^rT.ec  for 
the  lands,  signed  by  Eg-laiirtni  and 
himself,  and  he  phook  hicu  l)*iMt2y  by 
the  hand,  saying,  that  few  m  aill'  the 
kingdom  had  better  earned  tSji  ztier- 


niNaAN  GILHAIZE. 


78 


don    of  their   service   than  he  had 
done. 

Thus  it  was  that  our  family  came 
to  be  settled  in  the  shire  of  Ayr  ;  for 
after  my  grandfather  had  taken  pos- 
session of  his  fee,  and  mindful  of  the 
vow  he  had  made  in  the  street  of 
Edinburgh  on  that  blessed  morning 
when  John  Knox,  the  champion  of 
the  true  church,  arrived  from  Geneva, 
he  went  into  the  east  country  to 
espouse  Eispa  lluet,  if  he  found  lier 
thereunto  inclined,  which  happily  he 
soon  did.  For  their  spirits  were  in 
unison  ;  and  from  the  time  they  first 
met,  they  had  felt  toward  one  another 
as  if  they  had  been  acquaint  in  loving- 
kindness  before,  which  made  him 
sometimea  say,  that  it  was  to  him  a 
proof  and  testimony  that  the  souls  of 
mankind  have,  perhaps,  a  living 
knowledge  of  each  other  before  they 
are  born  into  this  world. 

At  their  marriage,  it  was  agreed 
that  they  should  take  with  them  into 
the  west  Agnes  Kilspinnie,  one  of  the 
niisfortunate  bailie's  daughters.  As 
for  her  mother,  from  tiie  day  of  the 
overthrow  and  destruction  of  the 
papistry  at  St  Andrews,  she  had  nevcx 
been  heard  of;  all  the  tidings  her 
sister  could  gather  concerning  her 
were,  that  the  same  night  she  had 
been  conveyed  away  by  some  of  the 
Archbishop's  servants,  but  whither  no 
one  could  tell.  So  they  came  with 
Agnes  Kilspinnie  to  Edinburgh  ;  and, 
for  a  ploy  to  their  sober  wedding, 
they  resolved  to  abide  there  till  tiie 
coming  of  Queen  ]Mary  from  France, 
that  they  might  partiike  of  the  shows 
and  pastimes  then  preparing  for  her 
reception.  They,  however,  during 
the  seas  on  of  tlieir  sojourn,  feasted  far 
better  lhan  on  royal  fare,  in  the  gos- 
pel banquet  of  John  Knox's  sermons, 
of  which  they  enjoyed  the  inexpres- 
sible beatitude  three  several  Sabbath- 
days  before  the  Queen  arrived. 

Of  the  joyous  preparations  to  greet 


Queen  Mary  withal,  neither  my  grand- 
father nor   grandmother    were  ever 
wont  to  discourse  nmch  at  large,  for 
they  were  holy-minded  persons,  little 
esteeming    the    pageantries    of    this 
world.      But    my  aunt,    for    Agnes 
Kilspinnie  being  in  progress  of  time 
married  to  my  father's  fourth  brother, 
became  sib  to  me  in  that  degree,  was 
wont  to  descant  and  enlarge  on  the 
theme  with  much  wonderment  and 
loquacity,  describing  the  marvellous 
fabrics  that  were  to  have  been  hung 
with  tapestry  to  hold  the  ladies,  and 
the    fountains    that    were    to    have 
spouted  wine,  which  nobody  was  to 
be  allowed  to  taste,  the  same  being 
only  for  an  ostentation,  in  order  that 
the  fact  thereof  might  be  recorded  in 
the  chronicles  for  after-times.     And 
great  things  have  I  likewise  heard  her 
tell  of  the  paraphernalia  which  the 
magistrates  and    town-council   were 
getting  ready.     No  sleep,  in  a  sense, 
she  used  to  say,  did  IMaccalzean  of 
Cliftonhall,  who  was   then   provost, 
get  for  more  than  a  fortniglit.     From 
night  to  morning  the  sagacious  bailies 
sat  in  council,  exercising  their  sagacity 
to  contrive  devices  to  pleasure   the 
Queen,   and  to  help  the  custom  of 
their  own  and  their  neighbours'  shops. 
Busy  and  proud  men  they  were,  and 
nosmallerwere  the  worshi})ful  deacons 
of  tlie  crafts.     It  was  just  a  surprise 
and  consternation  to  every  body,  to 
think  how  their  weak  backs  could  bear 
such  a  burden  of  cnrcs.     No  time  had 
they  for  their  wonted  jocosity.     To 
those  who  would  fain  have  speered 
the  news,  they  shook  th'  ir  heads  in 
a  Solomon-like  manner,  and  hastened 
by.     And  such  a  battle  and  tribula- 
tion as  they  liad  with  tlicir  vassals, 
the  magistrates  of  Leith  !  who,  in  the 
most  contumacious  manner,  insisted 
that  their  chief  bailie  shoidd  be  the 
first  to  welcome  the  Sovereign  on  the 
shore.    This  pretence   was  thought 
little  short  of   rebellion;   and   the 


w 


RTNGAN  GILHAIZR. 


provost  Mild  the  bailies,  and  all  the 
wise  men  that  sat  iu  council  withthcni, 
together  witli  the  help  of  their  learned 
assessors, continued  deliberatiuff  ancnt 
the  same  for  hours  tojjether.  It  wad 
a  dreadful  business  that  for  th.o  town 
of  Edinburgh.  And  tlio  opinions  of 
the  judges  of  tlic  land,  and  tlie  lords 
of  the  council,  were  taken,  and  many 
a  device  tried  to  overcome  the  up- 
setting, as  it  was  called,  of  tlie  licith 
magistrates ;  but  all  was  of  no  avail. 
And  it  wii^  thought  there  would  '  ivo 
been  a  fi^^ht  between  the  bail  of 
Leith  and  the  bailies  of  Edinburgh, 
and  that  blood  would  have  been  shed 
before  this  weighty  question,  so  im- 
portant to  the  dearest  interests  of  the 
commonweal  of  Scotland,  could  be 
determined.  But,  in  the  midst  of 
their  contention,  and  before  their 
preparations  were  half  finished,  the 
Queen  arrived  in  Leith  Jloads ;  and 
the  news  came  upon  them  like  tiie 
cry  to  the  foolish  virgins  of  the  bride- 
groom in  the  street.  Then  they  were 
Been  flying  to  their  respective  places 
of  abode,  to  dress  themselves  in  their 
coats  of  black  velvet,  their  doublets 
of  crimson  satiti.  and  their  hose  of  tiie 
same  colour,  which  they  had  prepared 
for  the  occas-ion.  Anon  they  met  in 
the  council-chamber — what  confusion 
reigned  there !  Then  how  they  Hew 
down  the  street !  Provost  Maccalzean, 
with  the  silver  keys  iu  his  hand,  and 
the  eldest  bailie  with  the  crimson- 
velvet  cod,  whereon  they  were  to  be 
delivered  to  her  ^lajesty,  following  as 
fast  as  any  member  of  a  city  corpora- 
tion could  be  reasoniibly  expected  to 
do.  But  how  the  provost  fell,  and 
how  the  bailies  and  town-council 
tumbled  over  him,  and  how  the  crowd 
shouted  at  the  sight,  are  tilings 
whereof  to  understand  the  greatness 
it  is  needful  that  the  courteous  reader 
should  have  heard  my  aunty  Agnes 
herself  rehearse  the  extraordinary 
particularities. 


Meanwhile  the  (iueeti  left  her  gal- 
ley in  a  small  boat,  and  the  bailies  of 
Leith  had  scarcely  time  to  reach  the 
pier  before  she  was  on  shore,  Alas  ! 
it  was  an  ill-omened  landing.  Few 
were  spectators,  and  none  cheered  the 
solit^iry  lady,  who,  as  slie  looked 
around  and  heard  no  loyal  greeting, 
nor  beheld  any  rJiow  of  hospitable 
welcome,  seemed  to  feel  as  if  the 
spirit  of  the  laiul  was  sullen  at  her 
approach,  and  grudged  at  her  return 
to  the  dark  abodes  of  her  ti  re  •  aii- 
cestors.  In  all  the  way  from  Lo  tli  to 
Ilolyrood  she  never  spoke,  but  the 
tear  was  in  her  eye  and  the  sigh  i.i  her 
bosom ;  and  though  her  jH'Ojdo 
gathered  when  it  M'as  known  she  had 
landed,  and  began  at  last  to  shout,  it 
was  owre  late  to  ])revent  the  mourn- 
ful forebodings,  which  taught  her  to 
expect  but  disappointments  and  sor- 
rows from  subjects  so  torn  witii  their 
own  factions  as  to  lack  even  the 
courtesies  due  to  their  sovereign,  a 
stranger,  and  the  fairest  lady  of  all 
her  time. 


CHAP  TEH    X. 

Soox  after  Queen  I^Iary's  return  from 
France,  my  grandfather,  with  his  wife 
and  Agnes  Kilspiimie,  came  from 
Edinburgh  and  took  up  their  resi- 
dence on  his  own  free  mailing  of 
Quharist,  where  the  Lady  Eglintou 
Avas  as  good  as  her  word  in  presenting 
to  them  divers  articles  of  line  na])ery, 
and  sundry  things  of  phaiishing  both 
for  ornament  and  use ;  and  there  lie 
would  have  spent  his  days  in  blame- 
less tranquillity,  serving  the  Lord, 
but  for  the  new  storm  tiiat  began  to 
gather  over  the  church,  whereof  it  is 
needful  that  I  should  now  proceed  to 
tell  ."ome  of  the  circumstantials. 

No  sooner  had  that  thougiitlesg 
Princess — if  indeed  one  could  be  so 
called  who,   though   reckless  of   all 


RING  AN  GILHAIZE. 


ga.]. 


ronsoqiK'iicos,  was  yet  double  beyoiul 
the  iin;ij,'iii!ition  of  man — no  .sooner,  1 
say,  liiifl  slic!  founil  liorself  at  home, 
tlian,  witli  all  the  craft  ami  blandish- 
ments of  her  wiiininjf  airs  and  peerless 
beauty,  slie  did  set  herself  to  seduce 
the  Lords  of  tiie  ( 'on<;rej,'ation  from 
tlie  sternness  wherewith  tiiey  had 
thrown  down,  and  were  determined 
to  resist,  the  re.-^toratioii  of  the 
Itoman  idolatry  ;  and  villi  some  of 
them  she  succeeded  so  far  tiiat  the 
jiojiish  priests  were  hearteni.'d.  and, 
knowing  Ii'T  avowed  partiality  for 
tlieir  sect,  the  J5east  bej,'an  to  slioot 
out  liis  horns  again,  and  they  dared 
to  perform  the  abomination  of  tlie 
mass  iu  different  fjuariers  of  the  king- 
dom. 

It  is,  no  doubt,  true  tliat  the 
(Jueeu's  council,  by  proclamation, 
feigned  to  discountenance  that  resus- 
ritation  of  idolatry  ;  but  tlie  words  of 
tlair  edict  being  backed  by  no  de- 
monstration of  resolution,  save  in  tlie 
case  of  a  few  worthy  gentlemen  in  the 
shire  of  Ayr  and  in  Galloway,  who 
took  up  some  of  the  oiTenders  in  their 
district  and  jurisdiction,  the  evil  con- 
tinued to  strike  its  roots,  and  to  bud 
and  flourish  in  its  pestiferous  branches. 

\V'lien  my  grandfather  heard  of 
these  things,  his  spirit  was  exceedingly 
moved,  and  he  got  no  rest  in  tlie 
night,  with  the  warsling  of  troubled 
thoughts  and  pious  fears.  Some  new 
call,  lie  foresaw,  would  soon  be  made 
on  the  Protestants,  to  stand  forth 
again  in  the  gap  that  the  (Queen's  arts 
had  sajipcd  in  the  bulwarks  of  their 
religious  liberty,  and  he  resolved  to 
be  ready  against  the  hour  of  danger. 
So,  taking  his  wife  and  Agnes  Kil- 
spiniiie  with  him,  he  went  in  the 
spring  to  Edinburgh,  and  hired  a 
loduing  for  them;  and  on  tiie  same 
niglit  lie  presented  himself  at  the 
lodging  of  the  Lord  James  Stuart, 
who  had  some  time  before  been 
created  Karl  of  Murray ;  but  the  Earl 


was  gone  with  the  Queen  to  I.och- 
levcn.  Sir  Alexander  Douglas,  how- 
ever, the  master  of  his  Lordship's 
horse,  was  then  on  the  eve  of  follow- 
ing him  with  John  Knox,  to  wliom 
the  Queen  had  sent  a  peremptory 
message,  requiring  his  attendance ; 
and  Sir  Alexander  invited  my  grand- 
father to  come  with  them  ;  the  which 
invitation  he  very  joyfully  accepted, 
on  account  of  the  hap[iy  occasion  of 
travelling  in  the  sanctilied  company 
of  tliai  brave  worthy. 

Jn  the  journey,  however,  save  iu 
the  boat  when  they  crossed  the  ferry, 
he  showed  but  little  of  his  precious 
conversation  ;  for  the  knight  and  the 
Keforiner  rode  on  together  some  short 
distanc(  before  their  train,  earnestly 
discoursing,  and  seemingly  they 
wished  not  to  be  overheard.  Ikit 
when  they  were  all  seated  in  the 
ferry-bi-at,  the  ardour  ut  the  preacher, 
which  (111  no  occasion  would  be  reined 
in,  li'd  him  to  continue  sjieaking,  by 
which  it  would  seem,  tl  at  they  had 
been  conversing  anent  the  (Queen's 
prejudices  in  matters  of  religion  and 
the  royal  authority. 

'•  A\'lien  I  last  spoke  with  her 
Highness,"  said  John  Knox,  '-she 
laid  sore  to  my  charge,  that  1  had 
brought  the  people  to  receive  a  re- 
ligion different  from  what  their 
jirinces  allowed,  asking  sharply,  if 
this  was  not  contrary  to  the  Divine 
command,  which  enjoins  that  subjects 
should  obey  their  rulers ;  so  that  I 
was  obliged  to  contend  plainly,  that 
true  religion  derived  its  origin  and 
authority,  not  from  jirinces,  but  from 
God  ;  that  princes  were  often  most 
ignorant  resfjecting  it,  and  that  sub- 
jects never  could  be  bound  to  frame 
their  religious  sentiments  according  to 
the  jileasure  of  their  rulers,  else  the 
Hebrews  ought  to  have  conformed  to 
the  idolatry  of  Tharaoh,  and  Daniel 
and  his  associates  to  tliat  of 
Kebuchaduezzar,  and  the   primitivo 


78 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


Cliristians   to   that    of    the    lloinan 
einjit'iors." 

"And  vliat  could   her  Ilij^liness 
answer  to  tliis?  "  8aid  Sir  Alexander. 

''  Slie  laeketli  not  the  pift  of  a 
phrewdand  leady  wit,"  replied  Master 
Knox  ;  for  she  nimbly  rcnuarked, 
'■  riiat  though  it  was  as  I  had  said, 
yet  none  of  those  men  raised  the 
sword  iijTfiiinst  their  princes  ;  " — which 
enforced  me  to  be  more  subtle  than  I 
was  minded  to  have  been,  and  to  say, 
"  tiiat  nevertheless,  they  did  resist, 
for  those  who  obey  not  the  command- 
ments given  them,  do  in  verity  re- 
sist."— "Ah,"  cried  her  IIif/;hness, 
"  but  not  with  the  sword,"  which  was 
a  thrust  not  easy  to  be  turned  aside, 
80  that  I  was  constrained  to  speak 
ouf,  saying,  "  God,  madam,  had  not 
given  tliem  the  means  and  the  power." 
Then  said  siie,  still  more  eagerly, 
"Think  you  that  subjects,  having  the 
power,  may  resist  their  princes  ?  " — 
And  she  looked  with  a  triumphant 
smile,  as  if  she  had  caught  mo  in  a 
trap ;  but  1  replied,  "  If  princes  ex- 
ceed their  bounds,  no  doubt  they  may 
be  resisted,  even  by  power.  For  no 
greater  honour  or  greater  obedience 
is  to  be  given  to  kings  and  princes 
than  God  has  commanded  to  be  given 
to  father  or  mother.  But  the  father 
may  be  struck  with  a  phreuzv,  in 
which  he  would  slay  his  children  ; 
in  such  a  case,  if  the  children  arise, 
join  together,  apprehend  the  father, 
take  the  sword  from  him,  bind  his 
hands  and  keep  him  in  prison  till  the 
phrenzy  be  over,  think  you,  madam," 
quo'  I.  "that  the  ch.ildreii  do  any 
wrong?  Even  so  is  it  with  princes 
that  should  play  the  children  of  God 
that  are  subject  to  tliem.  Their 
blind  zeal  is  nothing  but  phrenzy, 
and  therefore  to  take  the  power  from 
them  till  they  be  brought  to  a  more 
sober  mind,  is  no  disobedience  to 
princes,  but  a  just  accordance  to  the 
will  of  God.— So  1  doubt  not,"  con- 


tinued the  Reformer,  "  I  shall  again 
have  to  sustain  the  keen  encounter  of 
her  Highness'  wit  in  some  now  con- 
troversy." 

This  was  the  chief  substance  of 
what  my  grandfather  heard  pass  in 
the  boat ;  and  when  they  were  again 
mounted,  the  knight  and  preacher 
set  forward  as  before,  some  twenty 
paces  or  so  in  advance  of  the  retinue. 

On  reaching  Kinross,  Master  Knox 
rode  straight  to  the  shore,  and  went 
off  in  the  Queen's  barge  to  the  castle, 
that  he  might  present  himself  to  her 
Highness  before  supper,  for  by  this 
time  the  sun  was  far  down.  In  the 
meantime,  my  grandfather  went  to 
the  house  in  Kinross  where  the  Earl 
of  Murray  resided,  and  his  Lordship, 
though  albeit  a  grave  and  reserved 
man,  received  him  with  the  familiar 
kindness  of  an  old  friend,  and  he  was 
with  him  when  the  Reformer  came 
back  from  the  Queen,  who  had  dealt 
very  earnestly  witli  him  to  persuade 
the  gentlemen  of  the  west  country  to 
desist  from  their  interruption  of  the 
popish  worship. 

"  But  to  this,"  said  the  Reformer 
to  the  Earl,  "  I  was  obligated,  by 
conscience  and  the  fear  of  God,  to 
say,  that  if  her  Majesty  would  exert 
her  authority  in  executing  the  laws  of 
the  laud,  I  would  undertake  for  the 
peaceable  behaviour  of  the  Protes- 
tants ;  but  if  she  thouglit  to  evade 
them,  there  were  some  who  would 
not  let  the  papists  offend  with  im- 
punity," 

"  VVill  you  allow,"  said  her  High- 
ness, "that  they  should  take  my 
sword  in  their  hands  ?  " 

"The  sword  of  justice  is  God's," 
I  replied,  "and  is  given  to  princes 
and  rulers  for  an  end,  which  if  they 
transgress,  sparing  the  wicked  and 
oppressing  the  innocent,  they  who  in 
the  fear  of  God  execute  judgment 
where  God  has  commanded,  offend 
not  God,  although  kings  do  it  not. 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


(9 


gain 

IT  of 

:'Oii- 


The  pentleinon  of  tlio  west,  niftdam, 
lira  jictini,'  strictly  ftccordiiig  to  law  ; 
for  the  act  of  parliament  gave  power 
to  all  judges  within  their  jurisaiction 
to  search  for  and  punish  those  wiio 
transgress  its  enactments  ;  "  and  J 
added,  ''it  shall  bo  profitable  to  j'our 
I\liijesty  to  consider  what  is  tiio  thing 
your  Grace's  8id)ject8  look  to  receive 
iioni  your  Majesty,  and  what  it  is 
that  yo  ought  to  do  unto  them  by 
mutual  contract.  They  are  bound  to 
obey  you,  and  that  not  but  in  (Jod  ; 
ye  are  bound  to  keep  laws  to  them — 
yo  crave  of  them  service,  they  crave 
nt'  you  protection  and  defence.  Now, 
mailam,  if  you  shall  deny  your  duty 
unto  them  (which  especially  craves 
that  ye  punisli  malefactors),  can  ye 
expect  to  receive  full  obedience  of 
thiin  ?     I  fear,  madam,  ye  shall  not." 

'*  You  have  indeed  been  plain  with 
lior  Highness,"  said  the  Earl,  thought- 
fully ;  ''  and  what  rejily  made  she  ?  " 

'•  None,''  said  the  Reformer  ;  "  her 
countenance  changed ;  she  turned 
luT  head  abruptly  from  me,  and  with- 
out the  courtesy  of  a  good  night, 
8i_-niri(d  with  an  angry  waving  of  her 
hand,  th;it  she  desired  to  be  rid  of 
my  presence  ;  whereupon  I  immedi- 
ately retired  and,  please  God,  I 
shall,  betimes  in  the  morning,  return 
to  my  duties  at  Edinburgii.  It  is 
with  a  sad  heart,  my  lord,  that  I  am 
compelled  to  think,  and  to  say  to 
you,  who  stand  so  near  to  her  in  kin 
and  affection,  that  I  doubt  she  is  not 
oidy  proud  but  crafty  ;  not  only 
wedded  to  the  popish  faith,  but 
averse  to  instruction.  She  neither 
is  nor  will  bo  of  our  opinion;  and  it 
is  pliiin  tiiat  the  lessons  of  her  uncle, 
the  Cardinal,  are  so  deeply  printed 
in  her  heart,  that  the  substance  and 
qu:dity  will  perish  together.  I  would 
be  glad  to  be  deceived  in  this,  but  I 
fear  I  shall  not ;  never  have  I  espied 
such  art  in  one  so  young  ;  and  it  will 
need  all  the  eyes  of  the  Reformed  to 


watch  and  ward  tliat  she  circumvent 
not  the  strong  hold  in  Christ,  that 
has  been  but  so  lately  restored  aiul 
fortified  in  this  misfortunato  king- 
dom." 

Nothing  farther  passed  that  night: 
but  the  servants  being  called  in,  and 
the  preacher  having  exhorted  them  in 
their  duties,  and  prayed  with  even 
more  tlian  his  wonted  earnestness, 
each  one  retired  to  his  chamber,  and 
the  Earl  gave  orders  for  liorses  to  bo 
ready  early  in  the  morning,  to  convey 
Master  Knox  back  to  Edinburgh. 
This,  however,  was  not  permitted ; 
for  by  break  of  day  a  messenger  camo 
from  the  castle,  desiring  him  not  to 
depart  until  he  had  again  spoken  with 
her  Majesty ;  adding,  that  as  she 
meant  to  land  by  sunrise  with  her 
falconer,  she  would  meet  him  on  the 
fields  where  she  intended  to  take  her 
pastime,  and  talk  with  him  there. 

In  the  morning,  all  those  who  were 
in  the  house  with  the  Earl  of  Murray 
and  John  Knox  were  early  a-foot, 
and  after  prayers  had  been  said,  they 
went  out  to  meet  the  Queen  at  her 
place  of  landing  from  the  castle,  which 
stands  on  an  islet  at  some  distance 
from  the  shore ;  but,  before  they  reach- 
ed the  spot,  she  Avas  already  mounted 
on  her  jennet  and  the  hawks  unhood- 
ed,  so  that  they  were  obligated  to  fol- 
low her  Highness  to  the  ground,  the 
Reformer  leaning  on  the  Earl,  who 
proffered  him  his  left  arm  as  they 
walked  up  the  steep  bank  together 
from  the  brim  of  the  lake. 

The  Queen  was  on  the  upland  when 
they  drew  near  to  the  field,  and  on 
seeing  them  approach  she  came  amb- 
ling towards  them,  moving  in  her 
beauty,  as  my  grandfather  often  de- 
lighted to  say,  like  a  fair  rose  caressed 
by  the  soft  gales  of  tlie  summer.  A 
smile  was  in  her  eye,  and  it  brightened 
on  her  countenance  like  the  beam  of 
something  more  lovely  than  light ;  the 
glow,  as  it  were,  of  a  spirit  conscious 


80 


ETNO  AN  CTLHATZE. 


of  its  powei',  aud  whicli  luid  graced 
itscdf  witli  all  its  eiicliautinents  to 
coiiquei'  some  stubborn  Jieart.  Even 
the  Earl  of  Murray  was  struck  with 
the  unwonted  splendour  of  lier  tliat 
was  ever  deemed  so  surpassing  fair  ; 
and  Jolni  Knox  said,  witli  a  sigli, 
"  The  Makkr  liad  indeed  taken  graci- 
ous pains  with  tlie  goodly  fashion  of 
such  perishable  clay." 

When  she  had  come  witliin  a  few 
])aces  of  where  they  were  advancing 
uncovered,  she  suddenly  cneciv^d  her 
jennet,  and  made  him  dance  proudly 
round  till  she  was  nigh  to  John  K'iox, 
where,  seeming  in  ahirm,  she  feigned 
as  if  slie  would  have  slipped  from  the 
saddle,  having  her  hand  on  his  .shoulder 
for  support ;  and  while  he,  M'ith  more 
gallantry  than  it  was  thought  in  him, 
helped  her  to  recover  her  scat,  she 
said,  with  a  complacent  look,  "The 
Queen  thanks  you,  Master  Knox,  for 
this  upholding.'' 

She  then  inquired  kindly  for  Jiis 
health,  grieving  she  had  not  given 
orders  for  him  to  lodge  in  the  castle  ; 
and  turning  to  the  Earl  of  INIurray, 
she  eluded  iiis  Lordship  with  a  gentle- 
ness that  was  more  wimu'ng  than 
praise,  why  he  had  not  come  to  her 
with  Master  Knox,  saying,  "  We 
should  then  perhaps  have  not  been 
BO  sharp  in  our  controversy."  lint, 
before  the  Earl  had  time  to  make 
answer,  she  noticed  divers  gentlemen 
by  uame,  and  taking  off  lier  glove, 
made  a  most  sweet  salutation  witii  iier 
lily  hand  to  the  general  concourse  of 
those  who  had  by  this  time  gathered 
around. 

In  that  gracious  gesture,  it  was 
plain,  my  grandfather  said,  tliat  she 
Avas  still  scattering  her  feminine  spells; 
for  she  kept  her  hand  for  some  time 
bare,  and  though  enjoying  the  plea- 
sure which  her  beautiful  ])resence 
diffused,  like  a  delicious  warmth  into 
the  air,  she  was  evidently  self- 
collected,  aud  had  something  more  in 


mind  than  only  the  triumph  of  hev 
marvellous  beauty. 

Having  tuiiied  her  horse's  head, 
rhe  moved  liim  a  few  paces,  saying, 
■'Master  Knox,  I  would  speak  with 
you."  At  which  he  went  towards 
her,  and  the  rest  of  the  spectators 
retired  and  stood  aloof. 

They  appeared  for  some  time  to  bo 
in  an  easy  and  somewhat  gay  discourse 
on  her  part;  but  she  gn'W  mure  aiid 
more  earnest,  till  i\Ir  Knox  made  his 
reverence  and  was  coming  away,  when 
she  said  to  him  aloud,  '•  Well,  do  as 
you  Avill,  but  that  man  is  a  dangerous 
man." 

Their  discourse  was  concerning  the 
titular  Bishop  of  Athens,  a  brother  of 
the  Earl  of  liuntly,  who  had  been  put 
in  nomination  for  a  sujterintendent  f)f 
the  church  in  the  West  Country,  and 
of  whoso  bad  character  her  Highness, 
as  it  afterwards  proved,  had  received 
a  just  account. 

]5ut  scarcely  had  the  rvcform'T  re- 
tired two  steps  wlien  s  i"  calkd  him 
bivck,  and  holding  our  to  him  licr 
Land,  with  which,  when  he  approached 
to  do  his  homage,  slie  familiaily  took 
hold  of  his  and  held  it,  playing  with 
his  fingers  as  if  she  had  been  placing 
on  a  ring,  saying,  loud  enough  to  bo 
heard  by  many  on  the  field, — 

"  I  have  one  of  the  greatest  mattens 
that  have  touched  nie  since  I  came 
into  this  realm  to  open  to  you.  aud  I 
must  have  your  help  in  it." 

'J'lien,  still  holding  him  earnestly 
by  the  hand,  she  entered  into  a  long 
discourse  concerning,  as  he  afterwards 
told  the  lOarl  of  Murray,  a  difTerence 
subsisting  between  the  l'".arl  and 
Countess  of  Argyle. 

'•Her  J^adyshii),"  said  the  Queen, 
for  my  grandfather  heard  him  re])eat 
what  had  passed,  "lias  not  perli!ij>,s 
been  so  circumspect  in  every  tiling  as 
one  could  have  wished,  but  her  lord 
has  dealt  harshly  with  her." 

Miistcr  Knox  having  ouco  before 


r.VNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


81 


of   llOV 


ro 


reconciled  tlic  dobatos  nf  lliat  lioiiour- 
able  couple,  told  lier  Iligliiies.s  lie  liad 
done  BO,  and  that  not  liavinp  since 
lioard  any  tliincr  to  the  contrary,  he 
had  hoj  d  all  thiiif^'8  Aveut  well  Avith 
them. 

"  It  is  AvorfJO,"'  rejdied  the  (ii'ieii, 
"  than  ye  believe.  l?nt,  kind  sir,  do 
this  nuicli  for  my  sake,  as  oiico  again 
to  put  Ihem  at  amity,  and  il  the 
Countess  behave  not  heiself  ns  she 
ou^dit  to  do,  she  shall  iind  no  favour 
of  me  ;  but  in  no  wise  let  Arpyle  know 
that  I  have  requested  you  in  lliis  mat- 
ter." 

Then  she  returned  to  the  sub- 
ject of  their  contest  the  preceding,' 
evcniiif,',  and  said,  with  her  sweetest 
looks  and  most  musical  accents, 
■'  I  j>romise  to  do  as  ye  required  : 
I  shall  order  all  offenders  to  be  sum- 
moned. a?'.d  you  shall  see  that  I  shall 
mini-ter  justice.'' 

To  wiiieli  he  re]ilie<l.  "  I  am  as- 
sured tlien,  madam,  that  you  shall 
l)lease  God,  and  enjoy  rest  and  tran- 
tpiillity  witliin  your  realm,  which  to 
your  ^!aje.«ty  is  more  jaoiitable  than 
all  the  I'ope's  power  can  be."  And 
liavin;,'  said  this  much  he  made  his 
revert  lice,  evidently  in  great  pleasure 
villi  iier  Highness. 

Afterwards,  in  sj-eaking  to  the 
Earl  of  ^lurray,  as  they  returned  to 
Kinro.s.s.  my  grandfather  noted  that 
ho  enqiloyed  many  terms  of  soft 
courtliness,  saying  to  her,  that  she 
wa.s  a  huly  who  migh':,  he  tliouglit, 
with  a  little  pains,  lie  won  to  grace 
and  godliness,  cotdd  she  be  preserved 
irom  the  taint  of  evil  coniisellois  ;  so 
mueh  had  the  a\ inning  sorceries  of 
her  exceeding  beauty  and  her  bland- 
ishments worked  even  upon  his  stern 
honesty,  and  enchanted  his  jealousy 
asleep. 

AVhen  Master  Knox  had,  with  the 
Earl,  partakiii  of  some  re])ast,  he  re- 
quested that  he  might  be  conveyed 
back  to  .Ediuburyh,  for  that  it  suited 


I 


not  wif]j  \u:-i  nit'ire  to  remain  sorn- 
ing  about  the  skirts  of  the  court ;  and 
his  Lordehip  bade  mv  grandfather  bo 
of  his  comjiany.  and  to  bid  Sir  Alex- 
ander l>ongIa#.  ti;c  master  of  his 
hor>e.  cIjoo-m?  for  Liin  tl  e  gentlest 
steed  in  his  etibi'.-. 

IJut  it  happ*  nfcfl  before  the  IJc- 
former  vcnn  uhdy  to  deprirr,  tliat 
(^ueen  Marv  Lad  finished  her  morn- 
ing piastin.c.  and  wi-s  returnijig  to 
her  barge  to  (mbark  for  the  ca.stle, 
which  the  Earl  hearing,  went  down 
to  the  brim  '  f  t?.e  loch  to  assi.'st  at 
her  euibarkiitic-n.  My  grandfather, 
with  others,  alisO  hastened  to  the 
spot. 

On  «.-t-injr  his  Lordship,  she  in- 
quired for  ••  her  frierid,"  ns  she  then 
called  John  Knox,  and  signified  her 
regret  that  be  had  lK.'en  so  Iht  to 
leave  her.  (-xpre»*inir  her  surprise  that 
one  i-o  infirm  shccld  think  so  soon  of 
asicoiid  jonruey:  whereby  the  good 
Earl  Ix'iug  lumcitd  to  cement  their 
ha)i]iy  reconciliation,  from  which  he 
aug-iired  a  gre-at  increa.-^e  of  lienefita 
both  to  the  rtalm  and  the  cause  of 
religioi;,  was  led  to  speak  of  his  con- 
cern thereat  akt-wise,  and  of  his  .sor- 
row that  all  bi^  own  horses  at  Kin- 
ross being  for  the  cha.<e  and  road,  ho 
had  none  well-fitting  to  carry  a  per- 
son so  aged,  and  but  little  used  to  the 
toil  of  riding. 

Her  Ilighntsapmiled  at  the  hidden 
counselling  of  thi.^  remark,  for  she  was 
]  osscsse-d  of  a  sharp  spirit;  and  she 
said,  with  al<ok  which  told  the  Earl 
and  all  aYotit  L>  r  that  she  discerned 
the  pith  of  1  i-S  I.ord.ship's  discourse, 
she  wiiuld  order  rne  of  her  own  jal- 
frtys  to  lief«  rthwith  prepared  hr  him. 

When  the  E.irl  returned  from  the 
shore  and  inftrmed  Master  Knox  of 
the  (Ju«n's  gracion-s  condescension, 
he  made  uo  reply,  but  lowed  his  head 
in  token  of  Li.^  fen.«e  of  her  kin<lness; 
and  soon  after,  when  the  palfrey  was 
brought  gaddied  with  the  other  horses 


82 


PJNGAN  GILHAIZE, 


to  the  door,  ho  said,  in  my  grand- 
fatlior's  liearinj,',  to  his  Lordship,  "  It 
iii.'ods,  yon  st'c,  uiy  Lord,  nm.st  bo  so ; 
for  wero  1  not  to  accept  this  grace,  it 
mij^lit  bo  tli.oai;!it  I  refused  from  a 
vain  bnivery  of  carin^f  notliiiifj  for 
liir  Majesty's  favour ;  "  and  lie  added, 
•with  a  suulo  of  jucidurity,  "wliereas 
1  am  rit:ht  wed  content  to  receive  tlie 
very  smallest  boon  from  so  fair  and 
blooiinnLf  a  lady." 

Nifthing  of  any  particularity  oc- 
curred in  the  course  of  the  journey ; 
for  the  main  part  of  Avluch  ALaster 
Knox  was  thouglitful  and  knit  up  in 
his  own  cogitations,  and  wlien  from 
time  to  time  he  did  enter  into  dis- 
course with  my  grandfathei',  he  spoke 
chiefly  of  certain  usages  and  customs 
that  lie  had  ol)served  in  other  lands, 
ai\d  of  thii!f;s  of  indifferent  imjiort ; 
but  nevcrthele;^s  there  was  a  llavour 
of  holiness  in  ad  he  said,  and  my 
grandfather  treasured  many  of  his 
sweet  sentences  as  pearls  of  great 
price. 

liefore  the  occurrence  of  the  things 
spoken  of  in  the  foregoing  pages, 
the  great  Earl  of  ( Ilencairn,  my  grand- 
father's fust  and  constant  patron,  had 
been  dead  some  time  ;  but  his  son  and 
successor,  wdio  knew  the  estimation  in 
which  he  liad  l)een  held  by  his  father, 
being  then  in  Edinl)urgli,  allowed  him, 
in  consideration  thereof,  the  privilege 
of  his  hcdl.  It  suited  not,  however, 
with  my  grandfather's  quiet  and  sancti- 
fied nature  to  nungle  nuicli  with  the 
bniwlers  that  used  to  hover  there; 
nevertheless,  out  of  a  resi)cct  to  the 
Earl's  hosi-itahty,  ho  did  occasionally 
go  thither,  and  where,  if  ho  heard 
little  to  edify  the  t'liristian  lieart,  he 
learnt  divers  things  anent  tlie  (iue>  n 
and  court  that  made  his  fears  and 
anxieties  wax  stronger  and  stronger. 

Jt  seemed  to  liiui.  as  he  often  was 
lienrd  to  say,  tliat  there  was  a  better 
knowledge  of  (Jiieen  Mary's  true  eiiar- 
ftctcr  aud  secret  partialitio.'j  among 


those  low  varlets  than  among  ti)eir 
masters  ;  and  lier  marriage  being  then 
in  the  parlanee  of  the  people,  ••uid 
mucli  dread  and  fevir  rife  with  tin; 
Trotestauts  that  she  woidd  choose  a 
paj)ist  for  her  husband,  he  was  sur- 
l)rised  to  hear  many  of  the  rou-h 
knaves  in  f  Jlencairn's  hall  speak  liglitly 
of  the  respect  she  would  have  to  tlio 
faith  or  spirituality  of  the  man  sho 
might  prefer. 

Among  those  wuddy  worthies  he 
fell  in  with  his  ancient  adversary 
Winterton,  who,  instead  of  harbouring 
any  resentment  for  the  trick  he  [ilayetl 
him  in  the  Lord  Boyd's  castle,  was 
rejoiced  to  see  him  again  :  he  himself 
was  then  in  the  service  of  David 
Rizzio,  the  fiddler,  Avliom  the  Ciueen 
son\e  short  time  before  had  taken  into 
her  particular  service. 

This  llizzio  was  liy  birth  an  Italian 
of  very  low  degree  ;  a  man  of  croueiied 
stature,  and  of  an  uncomely  physiog- 
nomy, being  yellow-skinned  and 
blaek-haired,  with  a  beak-nose,  and 
little  quick  eyes  of  a  free  and  familiar 
glance,  but  shrewd  withal,  and 
posse.'^stHl  of  a  funny  way  of  win- 
ning facetiously  on  the  ladies,  to  the 
which  his  singular  skill  in  all  manner 
of  melodious  music  helped  not  a  little  ; 
so  that  he  had  great  sw.ay  with  them, 
and  was  then  winning  himself  fast  into 
the  (Queen's  favour,  in  which  andntion, 
besides  the  natural  instigations  of  his 
own  vanity,  he  was  spirited  on  by 
certain  powerful  personages  of  the  pa- 
pistical faction,  who  soon  saw  tho 
great  eflicacy  it  would  be  of  to  their 
cause,  to  have  one  who  oweil  his  ri^e 
to  them  constantly  aljout  the  (^ueeii, 
and  in  the  depths  of  all  her  personal 
corresponilence  with  her  great  friends 
abroad.  But  the  subtle  Italian,  though 
still  true  to  his  ]iapal  breeding,  l>uilt 
upon  the  (Jueen's  jiartiality  more  th.ni 
on  the  favour  of  those  jirond  nobles, 
and,  about  the  time  of  which  I  am 
110 w  speaking,  he  carried  his  head  at 


IIINOAN  GILHAIZE, 


83 


conrt  np  hravdy  fis  <Iu>  Ixildrsl^  Iwron 
fmio)i!:st  ttu'iii.  Still  ill  this  lie  lind 
■MS  \it  (lone  iiotliiiii,'  jivc'iitly  to  oiTciul. 
'iiio  Proti'.stant  Lords,  liowKver,  ind-j- 
jiiiidciit  of  tlieir  avorsicn  to  liiiii  on 
iUTOUiit  of  Ilia  rflijuioii,  fcli,  in  rnni- 
uiDU  with  all  the  iioLility,  a  VLlicnioiit 
pifjudicc  a::ain.st  an  alirii,  one  too  of 
base  blood,  and  tlit-y  ojifiily  manifes- 
ted tliL'ir  disjiloasiire  at  S('iin,£:  liini  i-o 
^'ori,a()iis  and  jiivunniiiii,'  even  in  the 
imblic  pre.-enre  of  the  (Eileen  ;  but  he 
regard"d  not  their  anger. 

In  ti..3  fey  man's  service  AVintcrton 
then  was,  and  my  grandfather  never 
doidited  that  it  was  for  no  good  that 
ho  came  so  often  to  the  Earl  of  (ilen- 
cairn's,  who,  though  not  a  man  of  the 
siinio  weight  in  the  realm  as  the  old 
Kai'l  his  father,  was  yet  held  in  mueh 
esteem,   as  a  sincere    Protestant  .iid 
true  nobleman,  by  all  the  friends  of 
the  Gospel  cause  ;  and,  in  tlie  sequel, 
wliat  mv"  granilfather    jcalonsed   was 
soon   vrry  plainly   seen.     For  Ki/.zio 
learning,  through  Winterton's  espion- 
ag(!  and  that  of  other  emissaries,  how 
little  the  people  of   Scotland  would 
relish  a  foreign  prince  to  be  set  over 
them,  had  a  hand  in  dissuading  the 
(^ueen    from   accepting    any    of    the 
matches  then  proiiosed  for  her;  and 
the  better  to  make  his  own  )iowerthe 
more  sicker,  he  afterwards  laid  snares 
in  the  water  to  bring  about  a  marriage 
with  that  weak  youn'T  prince,  the  Lord 
IFenry   Darnley.       l!ut    it    falls   not 
Avitinn  the  scope  of  my  narrative  to 
enter  into  any  more  particulars  here 
concern  in 'jf  that  Italian,  and  the  tragical 
doom   whicli,   with   the   (Queen's  im- 
prudence, he  brought  upon  himself ; 
f(ir,    after   spending   some   weeks    in 
F'^dinburgh.    and     in    visiting     their 
friends  at  Crail,  my  grandfather  re- 
turned with   his  wife  and   Agnes  Kil- 
Bpinnie  to  (Juliarist,  where  he  contin- 
ued to  reside  several  years,  but  not  in 
traiKiuillity. 

Hardly  had    they   reached    their 


home,  Avhen  word  came  of  quarrels 
among  the  nobility;  and  though  tl:o 
same  sprung  out.  of  secular  debates, 
they  had  much  of  the  leaven  of  reli- 
gious faction  in  their  causes,  the  which 
greatly  exas]>erated  the  enmity  Avitli 
which  tluy  were  carried  on.  But  even 
in  the  good  b'arl  of  ^Murray's  raid, 
there  was  nothing  which  called  on  my 
grandfather  to  bear  a  jiart.  ^,'ever- 
thele.^s,  those  fpiarrels  di.- quieted  his 
.soul,  and  he  heard  the  sough  of  dis- 
contents rising  afar  ofT,  like  the  roar 
of  the  bars  of  Ayr  when  they  betoken 
a  coming  tempe>t. 

Afttr  the  departure  of  the  Farl  of 
^lurray  to  France,  there  was  a. syncope 
in  the  land,  and  men's  minds  were 
filled  with  wonder,  and  Mith  appre- 
hensions to  which  they  could  give  no 
name ;  neij^hbouta  distrusted  one 
another  ;  the  papists  looked  out  from 
their  secret  yilaces,  and  were  saluted 
with  a  fear  that  wore  the  sendilanco 
of  reverence.  'I  ho  Queen  married 
Darnley,  and  discreet  men  marvelled 
at  the  rashness  with  which  the  match 
was  concluded,  there  being  seemingly 
no  cause  for  such  unconiely  h.'iste,  nor 
for  the  lavish  favours  that  she  heaped 
ujion  him.  It  was  viewed  with  awe, 
as  a  thing  done  under  the  impulses  of 
fraud,  or  fainnes-s,  or  fatality,  is'or 
was  their  wedding-cheer  cold  Avheii 
her  eager  love  changed  into  aversion. 
Then  the  spirit  of  the  times,  which 
had  long  hovered  in  willingness  to  be 
jileased  with  her  intentions,  began  to 
alter  its  breathings,  and  to  whisper 
darkly  agaiu.st  her.  At  last  the  mur- 
der of  IJi/zio.  a  deed  which,  though  iu 
the  main  satisfactory  to  the  nation, 
was  yet  so  foul  and  cruel  in  the  per- 
petration that  the  tidings  of  it  came 
like  a  thunder-clap  over  all  the  king- 
dom. 

The  birth  of  I'rince  James,  which 
soon  after  followed,  gave  no  joy;  for 
about  the  same  time  a  low  and  terrible 
whispering  began  to  be  heard  of  somo 


tm. 


84 


KING  AN  GILHAIZE. 


liidoous  and  universal  conspiracy 
a,2;ainst  all  tlic  Protestants  throuu;liout 
Kurope.  Xone  ventured  to  say  that 
Qneou  Mary  was  joined  with  tlio  con- 
spirators ;  but  many  jireucliers  openly 
prayed  that  slie  niii^lit  bo  preserved 
from  their  leagues  in  a  way  that 
showed  what  they  feared  ;  besides 
this  suspicion,  mournful  tliinp;s  were 
told  of  her  behaviour,  and  the  im- 
moralities of  lier  courtiers  and  their 
trains  rose  to  such  a  piti'h,  compared 
Avith  the  purity  and  plain  manners  of 
iier  mother's  court,  that  tlie  whole 
land  was  vexed  with  anfjry  thouglits, 
and  echo  (I  to  the  rumours  with  dtern 
menaces. 

No  one  was  rnoro  disturbed  by 
these  things  than  my  jiious  graud- 
fatlier ;  and  tlie  apprcliensions  which 
they  caused  in  hiui  came  to  sucli  a 
head  at  last,  that  his  wife,  becoming 
fearful  of  iiis  healtli,  advised  him  to 
take  a  journey  to  Edinburgh,  in  order 
that  he  might  hear  and  see  with  his 
own  ears  and  eyes ;  which  ho  accord- 
ingly did,  and  on  his  arrival  Avent 
straight  to  tlio  Earl  of  (ilencairn,  and 
begged  permission  to  take  on  again 
Lis  livery,  cliielly  tliat  he  might  pass 
unnoticed,  and  not  be  remarked  as 
having  neither  calling  nor  vocation. 
That  nobleman  was  surprised  at  his 
request ;  but,  without  asking  any 
question,  gave  him  leave,  and  again 
invited  him  to  use  the  froedon\  of  his 
hall;  so  he  continued  as  one  of  his 
retainers,  till  tlie  Ivarl  of  Murray's 
retiu-n  from  Franco.  But,  before 
speaking  of  what  then  ensued,  there 
are  some  things  concerning  tlio  mur- 
der of  the  (^neon's  I'lotestant  hus- 
band,— the  blackest  of  the  sins  of 
that  age. — of  which,  in  so  far  a.s  my 
grandfatlier  particijiatod,  it  is  meet 
and  proper  1  should  previously  speak. 


CIIAPTEII    XL 

WiiiLK  the  cloud  of  troubles,  wiicreof 
I  have  spoken  in  tlio  foregoing  chap- 
ter, was  thickening  and  darkening 
over  tile  land,  tlie  event  of  the  King's 
dreadful  deatii  came  to  pass;  the 
which,  though  in  its  birth  most  foul 
and  monstrous,  filling  the  hearts  of 
all  men  with  consternation  and 
horror,  was  yet  a  mean  in  the  hands 
of  I'rovidence,  as  shall  hereafter  ap- 
pear, whereby  the  kingdom  of  Tin; 
Loi:i)  was  established  in  Scotland. 

Concerning  that  fearful  treason 
my  grandfather  never  spoke  Avilhout 
taking  off  his  bonnet,  and  praying 
inwardly  with  such  solemnity  of 
countenance,  that  nono  could  bi^hold 
him  unmoved.  Of  all  the  remarkable 
passages  of  his  long  life  it  was  indeed 
the  most  remarkable ;  and  he  has 
been  heard  to  say,  that  ho  could  lofc 
well  acquit  himself  of  the  actual  sin 
of  disobedience,  in  not  obeying  an 
admonition  of  the  Spirit  which  was 
vouchsafed  to  liim  on  that  occasion. 

For  some  time  there  had  been  a 
great  variance  between  the  King  and 
Queen,  lie  had  given  himself  over 
to  loose  and  low  com|)aiiions ;  and 
though  she  kept  her  state  and  ])ride, 
ill  was  sai<l  of  her,  if  in  her  walk  and 
conversation  she  was  more  sensible  of 
her  high  dignity.  All  at  once,  how- 
ever, wlien  he  was  lyiiigill  at  Ciasgow, 
there  was  a  singular  dcmonst  tiou 
of  returning  nfTection  on  her  y-..: :,  iie 
more  remarkable  and  thenion  needed 
of  the  commonalty,  on  account  of  its 
suddenness,  ;ind  the  events  that  en- 
sued ;  for  while  he  was  at  the  wurst 
she  minded  not  his  condition,  but 
took  her  delights  and  pastimes  in 
divers  parts  of  the  country.  Ko 
sooner,  Jiowover,  had  his  strength 
overcome  tiio  disease,  than  she  was 
seized  with  this  fond  sympathy,  and 
came  flying  with  her  endearmenta, 
seemingly  to  foster  his  recovery  with 


PJNGAN  GILTTAIZE. 


85 


'cof 
ap- 


carossos  and  love.  'J  he  wliich  cxces- 
fiivu  aiTuctiou  w;is  afterwards  ascriljfd 
to  a  guilty  hypocrisy;  for,  in  the 
sequel,  it  caino  to  li;!,dit,  tliat  Avhilc  slio 
was  practising  all  those  winning 
blandishnients.  which  few  knew  the 
art  of  ])etter,  and  witii  whieli  she 
regahied  his  confidence,  she  was  at 
the  same  time  engaged  in  correspond- 
once  with  thelL'irl  of  l>otIiwell.  The 
King,  however,  was  won  by  her  kind- 
ness, and  consented  to  be  removed 
from  among  the  friends  of  his  family 
at  Glasgow  to  Ivlinbuigh,  in  order 
that  he  might  there  enjoy  the  benelits 
of  her  soft  cares,  and  the  salutary 
attendance  of  the  physiciiins  of  the 
capital.  The  house  of  the  provost  of 
Kirk  o'  Field,  whieii  stood  not  far 
from  the  spot  where  tlie  buildings  of 
the  college  now  stand,  was  aecord- 
ini,dy  jirepared  for  his  reception,  on 
account  of  the  ailvantages  which  it 
afforded  for  the  free  and  open  air  of 
a  rising  ground  ;  but  it  was  also  a 
eolitary  place,  a  fit  haunt  fi>r  midnight 
conspirators  and  the  dark  purposes 
of  mysterious  crime. 

There,  for  some  time,  the  (iueen 
lavisiied  upon  hiiu  all  tlie  endearing 
gentleness  of  a  true  and  loving  wife, 
being  seldom  absent  by  day,  and 
sleeping  near  his  sick  chamber  by 
night.  Tiie  land  was  blitiiened  with 
sueii  assurances  of  their  reconciliation; 
and  the  King  himself,  with  the  frank 
ardour  of  flattered  youth,  was  contrite 
for  his  faults,  and  jjromised  her  tlie 
fondest  devotion  of  all  his  future  days. 
In  this  sweet  cordiality,  on  Sunday, 
the  ninth  of  February.  A.D.  loOT, 
she  parted  from  him  to  be  present  at 
a  m;i.s(jning  in  the  palace  ;  for  the 
]{eformation  had  not  tiien  so  pone- 
triited  into  the  habits  and  business  of 
men  as  to  hallow  the  Sabbath  in  the 
way  it  has  since  done  amongst  us. 
]>ut  before  proceeding  fartiier,  it  is 
projier  to  resume  the  thread  of  my 
grandfather's  story. 


He  had  pa'"?nd  that  evening,  as  he 
was  wont  to  tell,  in  pleasant  gospel 
conversation  with  several  acquaint- 
ances, iu  the  house  of  one  Jtaphael 
Doquet,  a  ))ious-lawyer  in  the  Canon- 
gate  ;  for  even  many  writers  in  tiioso 
days  were  smitten  Avith  the  love  of 
godliness;  and  ns  lie  was  returning 
to  his  dry  lodgings  in  an  entry  now 
called  15aron  Grant's  Close,  he  en- 
countered A\inierton,  who,  after  an 
end  had  been  put  to  David  Itiz/.io, 
became  a  retainer  in  the  riotous 
household  of  the  Karl  of  Ijothwell. 
This  happened  a  short  way  aboon 
the  Netherbow,  and  my  grandfatlicr 
stopped  to  speak  with  him  ;  but  there 
was  a  haste  and  confusion  in  his 
manner  which  made  him  rather  eschew 
this  civility.  My  grandfather,  at  the 
time,  however,  did  not  nmcii  re'nark 
it  ;  but  scarcely diad  they  jjarted  tea 
paces,  when  a  sudden  jealousy  of 
some  unknown  truilt  or  danger, 
wherein  Wititerton  was  concerned, 
came  into  his  mind  like  a  ilasli  of  fire, 
and  iie  felt  as  it  Avere  an  invisiiilo 
power  constraining  him  to  dog  his 
stei'S.  insomuch,  that  he  actually  did 
turn  back.  But  on  reaching  the  15ow, 
he  was  obligated  to  stop,  for  the 
ward  was  changing  ;  and  observing 
that  the  soldiers  then  posting  Avero 
of  the  (Jueen's  French  gua;  ;,  his 
thoughts  began  to  run  on  the  rumour 
that  was  bruited  of  a  league  among 
the  papist  ]irincos  to  rut  off  all  the 
Reformed  with  one  UJiuiTsal  sweep 
of  tlie  S'  ythe  of  persecution,  and  ho 
felt  himself  moved  and  incitetl  to  go 
to  some  of  the  Lords  of  the  Congre- 
gation, to  warn  tliem  ui  wliat  ho 
feared;  but,  considering  that  iie  had 
only  a  vague  and  unaccountable  sus- 
picion for  his  thought,  he  wavered, 
and  finally  reiurntd  lionie.  Thus, 
though  manit'esdy  and  marvellously 
instructed  of  the  fruition  of  some 
bloody  business  in  hand  that  ni^lit, 
he  was  yet  overruled  by  the  wisdom 


m 


r.lNGAN  OILTTATZn. 


which  is  of  this  worhl,  io  suppress 
and  refuse  obodicrco  to  the  prompt- 
ings of  tlie  inspiration. 

On  reachinii;  liis  chamber,  ho  im- 
Imokk'd  lii.s  bi.'lt,  as  his  custom  was, 
and  laid  down  his  sword  and  Ijcgan  to 
luidross,  •Nvlirn  aijain  (Ik;  same  alaian 
from  on  hij,di  full  upon  1dm,  .and  the 
ennie  warning  spirit  whisyiorcd  to  his 
mind's  ear  unspeakable  intimations  of 
dreadful  things.  Fear  came  upon 
him  and  trembling,  Avhich  made  all 
Ids  bones  to  sliake,  and  he  lifted  his 
sword  and  again  buckled  on  his  belt. 
JUit  again  the  prudence  of  tin's  world 
prevailed,  and  heeding  not  the  ad- 
monition to  Avaru  the  Lords  of  the 
Congregation,  ho  threw  himself  on 
his  bed,  without  however  unbuckling 
his  sword,  and  in  that  condition  fell 
asleep.  JJut  though  his  senses  were 
shut  his  mind  continued  awake,  and 
ho  had  feaiful  visions  of  blood)' 
hands  and  glittering  daggers  gleaming 
over  him  from  behind  his  curtains, 
till  in  terror  he  started  up,  gasping 
like  one  that  had  struggled  with  a 
Btronger  than  himself. 

A\'heii  he  had  in  soni"  degree  com- 
posed his  thouglds.  he  went  to  the 
window,  and  opened  it,  to  see  by  the 
stars  how  far  the  lught  had  passed, 
'['he  wind(»w  overlooked  the  North 
Loch  and  tbe  swelling  bank  b.-yond, 
and  the  ilistant  frith  and  the  hills  of 
Fite.  The  .skies  were  calm  and  dear, 
and  the  air  was  tempered  with  a  bright 
frost.  The  stiirs  in  their  courses  were 
refieotcd  in  the  still  waters  of  the 
North  Loch,  as  if  there  had  been  an 
opening  through  the  earth,  showing 
the  other  roiinavc;  of  the  spangled 
firmament.  I'ut  the  dark  outline  of 
the  swelling  bank  on  the  northern 
side  was  like  the  awful  corpse  of 
some  migiity  thing  prepared  for  in- 
tei'inent. 

As  my  grandfather  stood  in  con- 
templation at  the  window,  he  heard 
the  occasional  churmo  of   dibcourso 


from  passengers  still  abroad,  and  now 
and  then  the  braggart  llourish  of  a 
trumpet  resounded  from  the  royal 
ma.squing  at  the  jialace, — breaking 
upon  the  holiness  of  the  night  with 
the  harsh  dissonance  of  a  discord  in 
some  solemn  harmony.— And  as  lie  was 
meditating  on  many  things,  and  griev- 
ing in  spirit  at  the  dark  fate  of  j)oor 
Seotlaiul,  and  the  woes  with  which 
the  chihlren  of  salvation  were  en- 
vironed, he  was  startled  by  tlio  a[)i)a- 
rition  of  a  great  blaze  in  the  air, 
which  for  a  moment  lighted  up  all  the 
land  Avith  a  wild  and  liery  light,  and 
he  beheld  in  the  glass  of  the  North 
IjOcIi,  reflected  from  behind  the 
shadow  of  the  city,  a  tremendous 
eruption  of  burning  beams  and  rafters 
burst  into  the  sky,  while  a  hoirible 
crash,  as  if  the  chariots  of  distruetiou 
were  themselves  breaking  down,  shook 
the  town  like  an  eartlnpiake. 

lie  was  for  an  instant  astounded  ; 
but  soon  roused  by  the  clangour  of 
an  alarm  from  the  castle ;  and  while 
a  cry  rose  from  all  the  city,  as  if  the 
last  trumpL-t  itself  was  .'bounding,  ho 
rushed  into  the  street,  where  the  in- 
habitants, as  they  had  flown  from  their 
beds,  were  running  in  consternation 
like  the  .sheeted  dead  startled  from 
their  gj'aves.  Drums  beat  to  arms; 
— the  bells  rang  ; — some  cried  the 
wild  cry  of  fire,  and  there  was 
wailing  and  weeping,  ami  many  stood 
dund)  with  honor,  and  could  give  no 
an.swer  to  the  universd  ipiestion. — ■ 
"  (iod  of  the  lieavens,  what  is  thi.s?  " 
Presently  a  voice  was  heard  crying', 
"  The  King,  the  Kinij !  "  and  all,  as  if 
movrd  l)y  ono  spirit,  replied,  ''The 
King,  the  King !  "  'Jlun  for  a 
nioment  there  was  a  silence  stiller 
than  the  rnidnigiit  hour,  and  drum, 
i:ov  bell,  nor  voice  was  lieaid,  but-  a 
rushing  of  the  multituih^  towards  St 
Marys  i'ort,  which  leads  to  the  Kirk 
o'  Field. 

Among    others,    my    grandfather 


HTXOAX  OlI.lIATZr.. 


87 


bow 
f  a 


Ao 


IiasU'iH'il  to  till!  sj)ut  by  '1  odri(:k'.-i 
AVyml  ;  find  as  lie  was  riiiiiiiii,i(  down 
towards  tlio  [losterii  fjate,  lio  came 
with  f,'n'at  violence  acr-'iiiist  a  man  \vlio 
Avas  HtriiL'uling  n]i  llirouL,di  tlji.'  torrent 
of  the  jieojilc,  witliout  cap  or  cloak, 
and  .seeniin.ifiy  maddened  witli  terror. 
Uri,'e(l  l)y  home  HtrouL,'  instinet,  my 
^'randfadier  f^rasjied  him  by  the  throat; 
I'oi',  Ity  the  <:limi).se  of  the  ii.ijiits  tliat 
M'ero  then  ])laeiii£,^  atovory  window,  ho 
saw  i(  waa  Winterton.  IJiit  a  swirl  of 
tlu!  crowd  tore  tiieni  asuinler,  and  lie 
had  oidv  time  to  cry,  *'  its  anc  of 
J5otliweir.s  men." 

'J'ho  people  canghfc  tho  lOarl's 
name;  but  instead  of  seizinjf  the 
fniritive,  tliey  repeated,  "  IJothwell, 
ISothwell,  he's  tho  traitor!"  and 
pressed  more  cnjjerly  on  to  tlio  ruins 
of  the  house,  wliicii  wore  still  burn- 
in^'.  'J'iio  walls  were  rent,  and  in 
m;iny  place.s  tiirown  down  ;  the  west 
pdde  was  blown  clean  away,  and  the 
very  ground,  on  the  side  where  the 
Kin<;'s  chamber  bad  been,  was  torn 
as  with  a  hundred  plouj,di8liares. 
Certain  trees  that  '^vew  hard  by  were 
cleft  and  riven  as  with  a  thunderbolt, 
and  stones  were  stiekin*,'  in  tlieir 
timl)er  like  wedges  and  the  shot  of 
can?ion. 

It  was  tliought,  that  in  sueh  a. 
sudden  l)last  of  desolation,  nothini,' 
in  the  house  could  have  withstood 
the  slioi  k,  but  that  all  therein  must 
have  been  shivered  to  atoms.  Wiien, 
liowever,  tlu;  day  ben;an  to  dawn,  it 
was  seen  that  many  thinirs  hail  escaped 
unblemished  by  the  tire;  aiul  the 
King's  body,  with  that  of  the  servant 
wiio  watched  in  his  chamber,  was 
fi'uud  in  .1  neighljouring  garden. 
V  iihout  having  suffered  any  materi.d 
(liange, — the  which  caused  the  greater 
marvelling ;  for  it  thereby  apjieared 
that  they  were  tlic  only  sufTerers  in 
that  dark  treason,  making  the  truth 
jdain  before  the  ]ieo]ile,  tliat  the  con- 
trivance and  firing  thereof  was  con- 


certed and  brougiit  to  maturity  by 
some  in  autiiority  with  the  (iueeii, 
— and  who  that  was  the  ])eople  an- 
swered Ijy  crying  as  the  roy;d  corp,-.o 
was  carried  to  tiie  jialace,  "  iiothwell, 
Lord  Hotliwell,  lie  is  the  traitor!" 

All  the  next  day.  and  for  many 
days  after,  consteination  n  igned  in 
tlie  streets  of  the  city,  and  lujiror  sat 
shuddering  in  all  her  dwelling-idaces. 
oNIultitudes  stood  in  amazement  from 
morning  to  night  around  the  jjaiace  ; 
for  the  Karl  of  JJothwell  was  within, 
and  still  honoured  with  all  the  homages 
due  to  the  greatest  public  trust.s. 
Kver  and  anon  a  cry  was  heard, 
"  IJothwell  is  the  murderer  !  "  and 
the  multitude  shouted,  "  Ju.stice, 
justice ! "  Ijiit  their  cry  was  not 
heard. 

Night  after  night  tho  trembling 
citizens  watched  with  candles  at  their 
casements,  dreading  .some  yet  greater 
alarm  ;  and  in  the  stillness  of  the 
midnight  hour  a  voice  was  heard 
crying,  "The  (iueen  and  iJothwell 
are  the  murderers  !  "  and  another  voice 
replied,  "  Vengeance,  vengeance  ! — 
Blood  for  blood  !  "' 

Every  morning  on  tho  walls  of  the 
houses  wiitings  were  seen,  demand- 
ing the  I'.inishmont  of  the  regicides, 
and  the  Queen's  name,  and  the  naino 
of  Bothwell,  and  the  names  of  many 
more,  with  tiie  Archbishop  of  St 
Andrews  at  their  head,  were  em- 
blazoned as  the  names  of  the  regi- 
cides. l)ut  Uothwell,  with  the  reso- 
lute br.ivery  of  one  in  the  confidence 
of  power,  heeded  nottlie  cry  that  thus 
mounted  continually  against  him  to 
Heaven,  and  the  Queen  feigned  a 
widow's  sorrow. 

'i'iie  M  Iiole  realm  was  as  when  the 
ark  of  the  covcnaiit  of  the  Lord  was 
removed  from  Jsrnel  and  captive  in 
the  iiands  of  the  I'liilistines.  The 
inj'ired  songht  not  the  redress  of 
their  wrongs  ;  even  the  guilty  were 
afraid   of  ono  another,  nnd  by  the 


85 


RING  AN  GTLHATZE, 


very  cowardice  of  their  distrust  were 
prevented  from  bamiinj^  ut  ii  time 
■\vlien  they  luiirlit  have  rioted  at  will. 
"What  airffravated  these  i)ortents  of  a 
kiiiL'doiii  fallinj,'  asunder,  was  the 
mockery  of  law  aii<l  justice  which  the 
court  attempted.  Those  who  were 
accused  of  the  Kinj,'"s  death  ruled  the 
royal  criuncils.  aurl  were  <,'rcatest  in 
the  Queen's  favour.  The  K;ui  of 
Hothwell  dictated  the  very  proceed- 
iuirs  bj-  which  he  was  himself  to  be 
brought  to  trial,  and  when  the  day 
of  trial  arrived,  lie  came  with  the 
pomp  and  retinue  of  a  victorious 
con(|ueror — to  be  acquitted. 

But  acquitted,  as  the  guilty  ever 
needs  must  be  whom  no  one  dares  to 
accuse,  nor  any  witness  hazards  to 
appear  airainst.  his  acquittal  served 
but  to  prove  his  jruilt.  and  the  forms 
thereof  the  murderous  partici[)ation 
of  the  Queen.  Thus,  tiimigh  he  Avas 
assoilzied  in  form  of  law,  the  libel 
against  him  was  nevertheless  found 
proven  by  the  universal  verdict  of  all 
men.  Yet,  in  di  .spite  of  the  wurld,  and 
even  of  the  ccmviction  recorded  within 
their  own  bosoms,  did  the  infatuated 
Mary  an  J  that  dreadless  traitor,  iu 
little  more  than  tiiree  months  from 
the  era  of  their  crime,  rush  into  mar- 
riage :  but  of  the  infamies  concerning 
the  same,  and  of  the  humiliated  state 
to  which  poor  Scotland  sank  in  con- 
Bequen«e,  I  must  refer  the  courteous 
reader  to  the  histories  and  chronicles 
of  the  time,  while  I  return  to  the  nar- 
rative of  my  grandfather. 

When  the  Earl  of  Bothwell,  as  I 
Lave  been  told  by  thosj  who  heard 
him  speak  of  these  deplorable  blots  on 
the  Scottish  name,  had  been  creatccl 
Duke  of  Orkney,  the  peoi)le  daily 
expected  the  marriage.  But  instead 
of  the  ordinary  cercmoniids  used  ut 
the  marriages  of  former  kings  and 
princes,  tiie  (^ueeu  and  all  ab(jut  her, 
as  if  they  had  been  smitten  from  on 
high  with  some  manifest  and  sti'ango 


frenzy,  resrlved,  as  ir  w   ■  .n 

and  blasphemy,  nutwiiLstJi;  .■  ...t 
own  and  the  notour  ]k>]i'.j-  .:  nhe 
Duko,  to  celebrate  iheir  tni^m  ac- 
cording to  the  strictest  formf  ciC  the 
Protestants;  and  dohn  Kuca'v'-rinr afc 
tlie  time  in  tiie  AVest  CoaaniiT.  h'm 
cuUeague,  blaster  Craig,  "wuf  .i:c;l<rre<I 
by  tiie  (^ueen  in  council  *oi  fabLidb 
the  banns  three  several  Sal>ln.:uii->  La  St 
(iiles'  kirk. 

On  the  morning  of  iht  isint  ap- 
pointed day  my  grandlutlftr  "y^  nt 
thither  ;  avast  coucour8e  of  aiUtfcufile 
were  assembled,  and  tl»e  worthy 
minister,  when  he  rose  iu  lib*'  pol^'it, 
holding  the  paper  iu  Im  EuukI, 
trembled  and  was  jiale,  and  doe  .*ome 
time  unable  to  sjieak;  at  lua  t<*  read 
the  nanu's  and  ]>urp()Be  (<f  auAin'i.ige 
aloud,  and  he  ]iaused  wLtai  &»t  hail 
done  so,  and  an  awful  BoIrOiiouiiirT  zvy/.n 
the  very  sjiirits  of  the  eoiiiTti-Arim. 
lie  tiien  laid  down  the  juijjitc  on 
tiie  pulpit,  and  lifting  Lie  iiuij;;-*  ami 
raising  his  eyes,  cried  witli  a  Ttiirnn-nt 
sadness  of  voice, — *•  Lord  'fici  or  r.'ie 
pure  heavens,  and  all  ye  od  liV  earth 
that  hear  me,  I  ])rotest.  as,  .n  miiiai.'iter 
of  the  gospel,  my  abhon'fij'.tf  .tmi  de- 
testation of  this  hideous  KJau:  and  I 
call  all  the  noiiility  jind  :uii  loc  r,iie 
(Jueen's  council  to  reu)f'i;%T.n,:.:  with 
her  Majesty  against  a  tv].  :;i..i,:]  aviat 
cover  her  with  ini'anjy  ic^r  tT-.r  and 
ruin  past  all  remede."  Tkret  '..ly^  ilid 
he  tiius  publish  the  biuius.  ibi.^  Diricii 
in  that  manner  did  he  boJ  ilr-irf,  [.lim 
his  protestation  ;  for  wl.i  l'  ^.-  ma 
called  before  the  jirivy  C'IUj  l.  ^hrrn 
the  guilty  IJothwell  wa.-  rsjin;;2rz:  and 
beini;  charged  with  liaviLr  tSiM^eded 
tlie  bounds  of  his  commisKic'L.  z-i  re- 
plied with  an  a{)ostoli('  bruTwj — 

•'  My  commission  is  ft  oiii  ^l.*  ^^'ord 
of  (iod,  good  laws,  and  nattinJIr::!.-:.  u, 
to  all  which  this  jn'oposed  !ti.i;m.iice 
is  obnoxi(Uis.  The  Kur]  ci  iiodiwcll^ 
there  where  he  sits,  kn  v  '■,-  '-.^  in 
an   adidterer, — the   div  : . .    . .  i:   Le 


rJNflAX  GILriATZE. 


89 


her 

the 

che 
•■•It; 
hid 
reil 

-!i 


lias  ])rocur('(l  from  liia  wifo  lias  b(.'en 
by  collusioii, —  and  he  knows  likewise 
that  lie  has  niunlered  the  kiii^'  and 
piiiltily  ])()ssesscd  himself  of  tlic 
(ineen's  jicrson." 

Yet,  notwiliistandinpc,  ^Ir  Craig 
•\vas  suffered  to  depart,  even  un- 
molested by  tlie  .'iHtonishe'l  and  over- 
awed IJotiiwell ;  but,  as  I  have  said, 
the  marriapo  was  still  celebrated  ;  and 
it  was  the  last  f;reat  crime  of  papis- 
tical device  that  the  Lord  f^ufTereii  to 
see  done  within  the  bounds  of  Scot- 
land. Tor  the  same  night  letters  were 
sent  to  tiie  Karl  of  Murray  from  divers 
of  the  nobility,  entreating  him  to 
return  forliiwith;  and  my  grand- 
father, at  the  incitement  of  the  Earl 
of  Argyle,  was  secretly  sent  by  his 
patron  (ilencairn  to  beg  the  friends 
of  the  state  an<l  the  lawful  prince,  the 
son  whom  the  Queen  had  born  to  her 
murdered  husband,  to  meet  without 
delay  at  Stirling, 

Accordingly,  with  the  llower  of 
their  vassals  and  retainers,  besides 
Argyle  and  (ilencairn,  camo  many  of 
the  nobles  ;  and  having  protested  their 
detestation  of  the  conduct  of  the 
(iueen,  they  entered  into  a  Solem'i 
Jvoague  and  (Jovenant,  wherein  they 
rehearsed,  as  causes  for  their  con- 
federating against  the  misrule  with 
which  the  kingdom  was  so  humbled, 
tliat  the  Scottish  people  were  abhorred 
and  vilipendit  amongst  all  Christian 
nations;  declaring  that  they  would 
never  desist  till  they  had  revenged 
the  foul  Muirder  of  the  King,  rescued 
the  (.iueeu  from  her  thraldom  to  the 
Karl  of  Jiotlnvell,  and  dissolved  her 
ignominious  marriage. 

The  (iueen  and  her  regicide,  for 
lie  could  not  be  called  her  husband, 
were  panic-struck  when  they  heard 
of  this  avenging  jiaction.  S'le  issued 
a  bold  proelamation,  calling  on  her 
insulted  subjects  to  take  arms  in  her 
defence,  and  she  published  manifes- 
toes, all  lies.     She  fled  with  liothwell 


from  Edinburgh  to  the  castle  of 
IJortliwiek ;  but  scarcely  were  they 
within  the  gates  when  the  s'jiigh  of 
tiie  rising  storm  obliged  him  to  leave 
her,  and  tlu;  same  night,  in  the  dis- 
guise of  man's  ajiparel,  the  (iuetii  of 
all  Scotland  was  seen  flying,  friendless 
and  bewildered,  to  lier  sentenced  lord. 

The  covenanting  nobles  in  t!io 
meantime  were  mustering  their  clans 
ami  their  vassals  ;  and  the  JO;vrls  of 
Morton  and  Atliol  having  brought 
the  instrument  of  the  League  to 
Edinburgh,  the  magistrates  and  town- 
council  signed  the  same,  and,  taking 
the  oaths,  issued  instanter  orders  for 
the  burghers  to  prepare  the  i  selves 
with  arms  and  banners,  and  to  man 
the  city  wall.  The  whole  kingdom 
rung  with  the  sound  of  warlike  pre- 
parations, and  the  ancient  valour  of 
tiie  Scottish  heart  was  blithened  with 
the  hope  of  erasing  the  stains  that  a 
wicked  (lOvernment  had  brou'dit 
ui)on  the  honour  of  the  land. 

.^leanwJiile  the  regicide  and  the 
Queen  drew  together  what  forces  his 
power  could  command  and  her  jiro- 
niises  allure,  and  they  advanced  from 
Dunbar  to  Carberry-hill,  where  they 
encamped.  The  army  of  the  Cove- 
nanters at  the  same  time  left  Edin- 
burgh to  meet  them.  MaryaiipeareJ 
at  the  head  of  her  troops  ;  but  they 
felt  themselves  engaged  in  a  bad 
cause,  and  refused  to  tight.  She  ex- 
horted them  with  all  the  pith  of  her 
elocpience; — she  wept, — she  implor- 
ed,— she  threatened, — and  she  re- 
proached them  Avith  cowardice, — but 
still  they  stood  sullen. 

To  retreat  in  the  face  of  an  enemy 
who  had  already  surrounded  the  hill 
on  which  she  stood  was  impracticable. 
In  this  extremity  she  called  with  a 
voice  of  despair  for  Kirkcaldy  of 
(Jrange,  a  brave  man.  who  she  saw  at 
the  head  of  the  cavalry  by  whom  she 
was  surrounded,  and  he  having  halted 
his  horse  and  procured  leave  from  h's 


00 


htngan  gilitatzt: 


loaders,  advanced  toward  Ikt.  IJotli- 
AVL'll,  witli  a  tVw  followers,  dnrinfj  the 
interval,  quitted  tlie  tield  ;  and,  as 
Boon  as  Kiikealdy  ennie  u\),  slie  sur- 
rendered herself  to  him,  and  was  con- 
ducted by  liini  to  tlio  iicad-({nartcrs 
of  ti>c  Covenanters,  by  whom  she 
•was  received  witli  all  the  wonted 
testimonials  of  respect,  and  was  ;is- 
finrcd,  if  slio  forsook  I'otliwell  and 
j;overned  her  kin<,^dom  witii  honest 
councils,  tliey  wouhl  iionour  and  obey 
lier  as  tlieir  sovcreipn.  Uut  tlio 
common  soldiers  overwiielmcd  her 
witli  rejjroaches,  and  on  the  march 
back  to  Edinburfrh  poured  upon  her 
tile  most  opprobrious  names. 

'•  Never  was  sueli  a  si^dit  seen," 
my  grandfatiier  ofcen  said,  "as  the 
return  of  that  abject  I'rinccss  to  her 
caiiital.  On  tlie  banner  of  the  Lenguc 
•wasdepicted  the  cor])se  of  tiie  murdered 
kin.if  her  husband  lyin_Gf  under  a  tree, 
■witii  the  young  jirincc  his  son  kneel- 
ing before  it,  and  tlio  motto  was, 
'  Judge  and  revenge  my  cause,  O 
Lord.'  Tiie  standard-bearer  rode 
witli  it  immediiately  before  the  horse 
on  which  she  sat  weeping  and  wild, 
and  covered  with  dust,  and  as  often 
as  ;<he  raised  her  distracted  eye  the 
ajiparition  of  the  murder  in  tlic  Ihig 
fluttered  in  her  face.  Jn  vain  she 
supplicated  pity, — yells  and  howls 
were  all  the  answers  slie  received,  and 
volk'vs  of  execiations  came  from  the 
])ri])ulace,  witli  I'lun  her,  burn  her, 
bloody  murderess  !  Let  her  not  live  I  " 

In  that  condition  she  was  con- 
ducted to  tlie  I'rovo.st's  house,  iiito 
whieli  .she  was  assisted  to  aligjit.  uifire 
dead  tliim  abve,  and  next  morning  she 
was  conveyed  a  pii.'^oner  to  Lochleven 
cnstle.  Avhere  she  was  soon  after  com- 
pelled to  resign  the  crown  to  lier  son, 
and  the  regency  to  tlic  Eari  of  ]\lur- 
rny,  liy  wliose  grent  wisdom  tiie  Lo- 
formntion  was  established  in  truth 
and  holiness  tliroughout  the  kingdom 
— though  for  a  season  it  was  again 


menaced  wiien  .Mary  eiVecled  her 
escape,  and  dared  tlio  c.iuso  of  the 
Lord  to  battle  at  Langside.  l$ut  of 
that  great  day  of  victory  it  becomes 
me  not  to  s|>eak,  f.)V  it  iiath  received 
the  blazon  of  many  an  abler  \>v\i ;  it  is 
Bullieient  to  mention  tliat  my  grand- 
father was  there,  and  after  the  battle 
that  he  returned  with  the  army  to 
(Jla.'jgow,  and  wa.s  presi.'ut  at  the 
thank.'^giving.  'J'hc  same  night  he 
|)ai<l  his  last  res[)ect3  to  the  Karl  of 
Murray,  wlio  jierniitted  him  to  take 
away,  as  a  trophy  and  niemori.d,  the 
gloves  which  his  liOrdshiii  had  worn 
that  day  in  tht'  fiehl ;  and  they  have 
ever  since  been  sacredly  preserved  at 
Quharist,  where  they  niay  still  l)e 
seen.  They  are  of  York  but!;  the 
palm  of  the  one  for  the  riirht  hand  is 
still  blue  with  the  maik  of  the  sword  s 
hilt,  and  the  forefinger  stool  is  stained 
with  the  ink  of  a  letter  which  tin;  Karl 
wrote  on  the  field  to  Argyle,  who  had 
joined  the  (Queen's  faction  ;  the  which 
letter,  it  has  been  tliouglit,  caused  the 
swithering  of  that  nobleman  in  the 
hour  of  the  on.set,  by  which  Provi- 
dence gave  the  Kegent  the  victory — a 
conquest  which  established  the  Go.spel 
in  his  native  land  for  evur. 

After  the  battle  of  Langside.  many 
of  the  nobles  and  great  personages  of 
the  realm  grew  jealous  of  the  good 
Kegent  Murray,  and,  by  their  own 
demeanour,  caused  him  to  ]nit  on 
towards  them  a  reserve  and  coldness 
of  dejiortment,  which  they  coi'Strued 
as  their  feelings  and  fancies  led  them, 
much  to  his  disadvantage ;  for  he  was 
too  proud  to  court  the  good-will  that 
he  thought  was  his  due.  lUit  to  all 
peo]ile  of  a  lower  degree,  like  those  in 
my  grandfati  er's  station,  he  was  ever 
the  same  punctual  and  gracious  supe- 
rior, making,  by  the  urbanity  of  hi.'3 
manner,  small  courtesies  recollected 
and  spoken  of  as  great  favours,  in  so 
much  that,  being  well -beloved  of  th^ 
whole  commonalty,  his  memory,  long 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


91 


licr 

tlio 

t  of 

lilies 

ivcd 

it  is 

mil- 

aih: 

i'> 

lli<- 

liu 

<»f 


ftffcT  lii8  fatal  floatli,  wag  licM  in  f,'roat 
cstiiiiation  aiiionj,'  tliciii,  ami  his  fame 
as  tiio  swi'L't  odour  of  many  bloHsim^'H. 

Few  tliin.t,'-*,  my  ^'ramlfatlicr  oi'tcii 
said,  ^'ave  liim  a  sorer  paiii,'  than  (he 
base  murder  by  the  llamiltons  of  that 
most  eminent  worthy  ;  ami  in  all  the 
lahour.s  and  busiiie.ss  of  hi.s  ioiiy  life, 
notiiiiii,'  came  over  more  pleasant  to 
hi-;  thouj,dd8  than  the  remembrance  of 
the  part  ho  had  himself  in  tlie  retri- 
bution with  Avhich  their  many  bloody 
a'ts  Avero  in  tiie  end  overtaken  and 
jiiinished.  Indeed,  as  far  as  concerns 
their  guiltiest  insti^fator  and  kinsman, 
the  papal  antichrist  of  St  Andrews, 
never  was  a  just  ven<,a'ance  and  judg- 
ment more  visibly  manifested,  fia  I 
shall  now,  with  all  expedient  brevity, 
rehearse,  it  bi.'imr  tin;  last  exploit  in 
which  my  prandfather  boro  arms  for 
the  connnonweal. 

J>ailio  Kilspinnio  of  Crail  having 
dealings  with  certain  GlasgoAV  mer- 
chants, who  sold  plaidiiigto  the  High- 
landers of  Lennox  and  Cowal,  finding 
them  doure  in  payment,  owing,  as 
they  saiil,  to  their  customers  lengthen- 
ing tiieir  credit  of  their  own  accord, 
on  account  of  the  times,  tlu;  west  liav- 
ing  been  from  the  battle  of  Langside 
unwontedly  tranquil,  he,  in  the  spring 
of  lo71,  came  in  cpiest  of  his  monicf, 
and  my  grandfather  having  notice 
thereof,  took  on  behind  him  on  horse- 
back, to  sec  her  father,  Agnes  Kil- 
fp'M'.io,  who  had  lived  in  his  house 
from  ll.ti  time  of  his  marriage  to  her 
;  ant,  i'.i^pa  Ituet.  And  it  haj^pened 
t..-it  Ca,.itain  Crawford  of  ■lordanhill, 
wl'.o  w.'S  then  meditating  his  famous 
exploit  against  the  castle  of  Dumliar- 
ton.  met  my  gramlfather  by  chance  in 
the  'J'rongait,  and  knowing  some  little 
of  him,  and  of  the  great  regard  in 
which  he  was  held  by  many  noblemen, 
for  one  of  his  birth,  sjiokt'  to  him  cor- 
dially, and  asked  him  to  be  of  his 
party,  assigning,  among  other  things, 
as  a  motive,  that  the  great  adversary 


of  the  Heformation,  tho  Archbishop 
of  St  Andrews,  had.  on  account  of  tho 
doom  and  outlnvry  pronounced  ujion 
him,  for  being  accessory  botii  to  tiu; 
munler  of  King  Henry,  the  Ciiieeu's 
I'rotestant  husband,  ami  of  tho  good 
IJeg.nt  Murray,  taken  refugo  in  that 
redoubtable  fortres*. 

Some  concern  for  the  state  of  his 
wife  and  young  family  weighed  with 
my  grandfather  while  he  was  in  com- 
munion with  Jordanhill  ;  but  alter 
parting  from  him.  and  going  back  to 
tho  Saracen's  inn  in  the  (iallowgait, 
where  Hailie  Kilspinnie  ami  his  daugh- 
ter were,  he  had  an  inward  urging  of 
the  spirit,  moving  him  to  be  of  the 
enterpiise,  on  a  persuasion,  as  1  have 
hoard  him  tell  himself,  that  witiiout 
he  was  there  something  would  arise  to 
balk  tiie  undertaking.  So  he  was  in 
consequence  troubled  in  thought,  and 
held  himself  aloof  from  the  familiar 
talk  of  l)i.s  friends  all  tho  remainder  of 
the  day.  wishing  that  he  might  be  able 
to  overcome  the  thirst  which  Cajitain 
Crawford  had  bred  within  him  to  join 
his  company. 

Hailie  Kilspinnie  seeing  him  in  this 
perplexity  of  soul,  spoke  to  him  as  a 
friend,  and  searched  to  know  what 
had  taken  ptossession  of  him,  and  my 
grandfather,  partly  moved  by  his  en- 
treaty, and  partly  by  the  thought  of 
the  great  palpable  Antichrist  of  Scot- 
land, who  had  done  the  bailie's  fire- 
side such  dan)age  atid  detriment,  being 
in  a  manner  exposed  to  their  tak- 
ing, told  him  what  Ijad  been  pro- 
pounded by  Jordaidnll. 

"  Say  you  so,"  cried  the  bailie,  re- 
membering the  oflence  done  to  his 
family.  "  say  you  so  ;  and  that  he  is 
ill  a  girn  tliat  wants  but  a  manly  hand 
to  gri]i  him.  IJodyand  soul  o'  nie.  if 
the  thing's  within  the  j.ower  of  the 
arm  of  fl"sh  he  sh;iH  lie  taken  and 
brought  to  tho  wuddy,  if  the  Lord 
permits  justice  to  be  done  within  the 
realms  of  Scotland." 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


lis 


m 


lb 


2.2 


m 

'-  IM 

1.8 


11-25  111.4   IIIIII.6 


a 


/2 


v: 


A 


^V 


V 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


■<^>. 


^'^> 


\ 


Ms 


5^ 


OS 


FvTNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


The    which    bold    and    valorous 

breatliiiifr  of  the  honest  magistrate  of 

Crail  kindled  the  smoking  yearnings 

.  of  my  grar.dfather  into  a  bright  and 

blazing  Hame.  and  he  replied  : 

"  Then,  sir,  if  you  be  so  minded, 
I  cannot  perforce  abide  behind,  but 
will  go  fortii  Avith  you  to  the  t  ^ttle, 
and  swithor  not  with  the  sword  till  wo 
have  effected  some  notable  achieve- 
ment." 

Tiiey  accordingly  went  forthwith  to 
Captain  Crawford  and  proffered  to 
him  their  service,  and  he  wixa  glad- 
.iftlencd  tiiat  my  grandfather  had  come 
to  so  warlike  a  purpose;  but  he  looked 
sharply  at  the  bailie,  and  twice  smiled 
to  my  grandfather,  as  if  in  doubt  of 
his  soldiership,  saying,  "IJnt,  Gil- 
haize,  since  you  recommend  him,  he 
must  be  a  good  man  and  true." 

So  the  same  night  they  set  out  at 
dusk,  with  a  chosen  troop  and  band 
of  'iot  more  than  two  hundred  men. 
A  boat,  provided  with  ladders,dr  oppod 
down  the  river  with  the  tide,  to  be 
before  them. 

By  midnight  the  expedition  reached 
the  bottom  of  Dumbuck  Hill,  where, 
having  ascertained  that  the  boat  was 
arrived,  Jordanhill  directed  those 
aboard  to  keep  her  close  in  with  the 
shore,  and  move  with  their  march. 

The  evening  when  they  left  Glas- 
gow was  bright  and  calm,  and  the 
moon,  in  her  first  quarter,  shed  her 
beautiful  glory  on  mountain  and 
tower  and  tree,  loading  them  as  Avitli 
the  light  of  a  heavenly  torch,  and 
when  tiiey  reached  the  skirts  of  the 
river,  it  was  soon  manifest  that  their 
enterprise  was  favoured  from  on  High. 
The  moon  was  by  that  time  set,  and  a 
thick  mist  came  rolling  from  the 
Clyde  and  the  Leven,  and  made  the 
night  air  dim  as  well  as  dark,  veiling 
their  movemcTits  from  all  mortal  eyes. 

Jordanhill's  guide  led  them  to  a 
part  of  the  rock  which  Avas  .seldom 
guarded,  and  showed  them  where  to 


place  tlicir  ladders.  lie  Ii.id  been  in 
the  service  of  the  Lord  Fleming,  tho 
governor,  but  on  account  of  contu- 
melious usage  had  quitted  it,  and  had 
been  tlie  contriver  of  the  scheme. 

Scarcely  was  the  first  ladder  placed 
when  the  impatience  of  the  men 
brought  it  to  the  ground ;  but  there 
was  a  noise  in  the  ebbing  waters  of 
the  Clj'de  that  drowned  the  accident 
of  their  fall,  and  prevented  it  from 
alarming  the  soldiers  on  the  watch. 
This  failure  disconcerted  Jordanhill 
for  a  moment ;  but  the  guide  fastened 
the  ladder  to  the  roots  of  an  ash  tree 
which  grew  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock,  and 
to  the  first  shelf  of  the  precipice  they 
all  ascended  in  safety. 

The  first  ladder  was  then  drawn  up 
and  placed  against  the  upper  storey, 
as  it  might  be  called,  of  the  rock, 
reaching  to  the  gap  wliere  they  could 
enter  into  the  fortres.s,  while  another 
l".dder  was  tied  in  its  place  below. 
Jordanhill  then  ascended,  leading  tlio 
way,  followed  by  his  men,  the  bailie 
of  Crail  being  before  my  grandfather. 

They  were  now  at  a  fearful  height 
from  the  ground ;  but  the  mist  was 
thick,  and  no  one  saw  the  dizzy  emi- 
nence to  which  he  had  attained.  It 
happened,  however,  that  just  as  Jor- 
danhill reached  the  summit,  and 
while  my  grandfather  and  the  bailie 
were  about  half-way  up  the  ladder, 
the  micit  below  rolled  away,  and  the 
stars  above  shone  out,  and  the  bailie, 
easting  hi3  eyes  downwiird,  was  bo 
amazed  and  terrified  at  the  eagle 
fliglit  he  had  taken,  that  he  becan  to 
quake  and  tremble,  and  could  not 
mount  >:  step  farther. 

At  that  juncture  delay  was  death 
to  success.  It  was  impossible  to  pass 
him.  'J"o  tun.ble  him  off  the  ladder, 
and  let  him  be  dashed  to  pieces,  as 
some  of  tiie  men  both  above  and  be- 
low roughly  bade  my  grandfather  do, 
was  cruel.     Ail  were  at  a  stand. 

Governed,  however,  by  a  singular 


RINGAN  GiLHAIZE. 


03 


been  in 
ing,  tlio 
F  contu- 
"viul  liad 
enio. 
r  iilaccd 
0    men 
lit  there 
aters  of 
accident 
it  from 
watch, 
rd.iiihill 
istcned 
ush  tree 
)ck,  and 
ice  tliey 


inspiratior,  my  grandfather  took  off 
his  own  sword-belt,  and  also  the 
bailie's,  and  fastened  him  with  them 
to  the  laddor  by  the  oxters  and  legfi, 
and  tlien  turninpf  round  the  ladder, 
leaving  him  so  fastened  jiendent  in  the 
air  on  the  lower  side,  the  assailants 
ascended  over  his  belly,  and  courage- 
ously mounted  to  tlicir  perilous  duty. 

Jordaiiliill  shouted  as  they  mus- 
tered on  the  summit.  The  officers 
and  soldiers  of  tlic  garrison  rushed 
out  naked,  but  sword  in  hand.  The 
assailants  seized  tlic  cannon.  Lord 
Fleming,  the  governor,  leaped  tlie 
wall  into  the  boat  that  had  brought 
the  scaling  ladders,  and  was  rowed 
away.  The  garrison  tlius  deserted 
surrendered,  and  the  guilty  prelate 
was  among  tlie  prisoners. 

As  soon  as  order  was  in  some  de- 
gree restored,  my  grandfather  went, 
witli  two  other  soldiers,  to  where  the 
bailie  liad  been  left  suspomled,  and 
having  relieved  him  from  his  horror, 
which  the  breaking  daylight  increased 
by  showing  him  tlie  fearful  heiglit  at 
whicii  he  hung,  he  brought  him  to 
Jordaiihill,  who,  laugln'ng  at  his  dis- 
aster, ordered  him  to  be  one  of  tiie 
guard  appointed  to  conduct  the  Arch- 
bisliop  to  Stirling. 

In  that  service  the  worthy  magis- 
trate provcjd  more  courageous,  and 
upbraided  tlie  prisoner  several  times 
on  tiie  road  for  the  ill  he  had  done  to 
him.  lUit  that  traitorous  high  priest 
heard  liis  taunts  in  silence,  for  he  was 
a  valiant  and  proud  man.  Such,  in- 
deed, was  his  gallant  bearing  in  the 
marcii,  that  th^j  soldiers  were  won  by 
it  to  do  iiim  liomage  as  a  true  knight ; 
and  had  he  been  a  warrior  as  lie  was  but 
a  priest,  it  was  thought  by  many  tiiat, 
thougli  botli  papist  and  traitor,  tiiey 
might  have  been  worked  ujion  to  set 
him  free.  To  Stirling,  however,  he 
was  carried;  and  on  the  fourth  day 
from  the  time  he  was  taken  ho  was 
executed  on  the  gallows,  where,  not- 


withstanding his  guilty  life,  lie  suffered 
witli  the  bravery  of  a  gentleman  dying 
in  a  righteous  cause,  in  so  much  that 
the  papists  honoured  his  courage  as  if 
it  had  been  the  virtue  of  a  holy  mjir- 
tyr,  and  IJailie  Ki..-pinnie  all  his  days 
never  ceased  to  wonder  how  so  wicked 
a  man  could  die  so  well. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Having  thus  set  forth  the  main  pas- 
sages in  my  grandfather's  life,  I  should 
now  quit  the  public  highway  of  his- 
tory, and  turn  for  a  time  into  the 
pleasant  footpath  of  his  domestic 
vineyjird,  the  plants  whereof,  under 
his  culture,  and  the  pious  waterings 
of  Elspa  Ivuet,  my  excellent  progeni- 
trex,  were  beginning  to  spread  their 
green  tendrils  and  goodly  branches, 
and  to  hang  out  their  clusters  to  the 
grficious  sunshine,  as  it  were  in  de- 
monstration to  the  heavens  that  tho 
labourer  was  no  sluggard,  and  as  an 
assurance  that  in  due  season,  under 
its  benign  favour,  they  would  grate- 
fully repay  his  care  widi  sweet  fruit. 
But  there  is  yet  one  thing  to  be  told, 
which,  thougii  it  may  not  be  regarded 
as  germane  to  the  mighty  event  of  tho 
Ueforniation,  grew  so  plainly  out  of 
the  signal  catastrophe  related  in  tho 
foregoing  chapter,  that  it  were  to 
neglect  the  instruction  mercifully  in- 
tended, were  I  not  to  describe  all  its 
circumstances  and  particulars  as  they 
came  to  pass. 

Accordingly  to  proceed.  In  tho 
winter  after  the  storming  of  Dmn- 
barton  Castle,  Widow  Kuet,  tho 
mother  of  my  gramlmotlier,  hearing 
nothing  for  a  long  time  of  her  poor 
dnighter  Marion,  had  fallen  into  a 
melancholy  state  of  moaning  and  in- 
ward grief,  insomuch,  that  Bailio 
Kilspinnie  wrote  a  letter,  invoking 
my  grandfather  to  come  with  his  wife 


94 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


to  Crail,  tbiit  they  mijjht  join  together 
ill  comforting  tiie  agetl  woman ;  wliicli 
work  of  duty  and  cliarity  tlicy  lost  no 
timo  in  undertaking,  carrying  with 
them  Agnes  KiI.si)innio  tof«'oher  kin. 

Being  minded,  both  in  the  going 
and  the  coming,  to  partake  of  tiio 
feast  of  tlie  heavenly  and  apostolic 
eloquence  of  the  fearless  lieforiner's 
life-giving  truths,  they  went  by  the 
way  of  Edinburgh ;  and  in  going 
about  while  there,  to  show  Agnes 
Kilspinnie  the  uncos  of  the  town,  it 
happened  as  they  were  coming  down 
from  the  Castle-hill,  in  passing  the 
Weigh-house,  liiat  she  observed  a 
beggar  woman  sitting  on  a  stair  seem- 
ingly in  great  distress,  for  her  hands 
Were  fervently  clasped,  and  she  was 
Bwinging  iier  body  backwards  and 
forwards  like  a  bark  Avithout  a  rudder 
on  a  billowy  sea,  when  the  winds  of 
an  angry  hejvven  are  let  loose  upon't. 

"Wiiat  made  this  forlorn  wrt  teii  the 
more  remarkable,  was  a  seeniing 
remnaiit  of  better  days,  and  as  slie 
from  time  to  time  lifted  her  delicate 
hands  aloft  in  her  despairing  ecst.isy, 
it  was  impossible  to  look  upon  her 
without  comf)a8sion. 

My  grandfather  and  his  wife,  with 
Agnes,  stopped  for  a  moment,  and 
conferred  together  about  what  alms 
they  would  offer  to  a  gentlewoman 
brought  so  low  ;  when  she,  observinfr 
them,  came  wildly  towards  them, 
crying,  ''  Oil !  save  a  famishing  out- 
cast from  death  and  perdition." 

Her  frantic  gesture  made  tlieir 
Bouls  shudder ;  and  before  they  had 
time  to  reply,  she  fell  on  her  knees, 
and  taking  Elspa  by  the  hand,  re- 
pented the  same  vehement  pi-ayer, 
adding,  "Do,  do,  even  though  I  be 
the  vilest  and  guiltiest  of  woman- 
kind." 

"Clarion  lluct! — O,  my  sister!— 
O,  my  dear  Marion!"  as  wildly  and 
as  woefully  did  my  grandmother,  in 
that  instant,  also  cry  aloud,  falling  ou 


the  beggar-woman's  neck,  and  sob- 
bing as  if  her  iieart  would  have  burst ; 
for  it  was  indeed  the  bailie's  wife, 
and  the  mother  of  Agues,  tha'  sup- 
plicated for  a  morsel. 

This  sad  siglit  brouglit  many 
persons  around,  among  others  a 
decent  elikrly  carlin  that  kept  a 
huxtry  shop  close  by,  who  pitifully 
invited  them  to  come  from  the  public 
causey  into  her  house;  and  with  some 
dillicalty  my  grandfather  removed 
the  two  sisters  hither. 

When  they  had  been  some  time  ia 
the  house  of  old  Ursio  Firikins,  as 
the  kind  carlin  was  called,  Elspa 
lluet  all  the  while  weeping  like  a 
constant  fountain,  and  repeating 
"  Marion,  Marion  ! "  with  a  fond  and 
sorrowful  tenderness  that  would 
allow  her  to  say  no  more,  my  grand- 
father having  got  a  drink  of  meal 
and  water  prepared,  gave  it  to  the 
famished  outcast,  and  she  gradually 
recovered  from  her  stupor. 

For  many  minutes,  however,  she 
sat  still  and  said  nothing,  and  when 
she  did  speak,  it  was  in  a  voice  of 
such  nn'sery  of  soul,  that  my  grand- 
father never  liked  to  tell  what  terrible 
thoughts  the  remembrance  of  it  ever 
gave  him. 

By  way  of  consolation,  my  grand- 
father told  her  they  were  then  on 
their  way  to  Crail,  and  that  as  soon 
as  they  had  procured  for  her  some  fit 
apparel  they  would  take  her  with 
them. 

J\  lean  while  the  charitable  Ursie 
Firikins  had  made  ready  a  mess  of 
porridge,  and  the  mournful  Magdalen 
being  soothed  and  coufoled,  was  per- 
suaded to  partake.  And  afterwards, 
when  they  had  sat  some  time,  my 
graTidl'iither  went  to  his  lodgings; 
and  having  paid  his  lawin,  returned 
to  the  two  sisters  and  Agnes  Kil- 
spinnie, and  they  all  walked  to  the 
shore  of  liCith  togetlier,  where  they 
found  a  boat  going  to  Kinghorn,  into 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


05 


» 


wliicli  flio"  ^-iiiliiiikiil ;  iuul  having,' 
Bli'pt  tlicro,  tliey  hiiT<l  a  cart  to  take 
tlioin  to  Criiil  next  jiioniiiig. 

Wlu'u  tlicy  caiiio  witliiii  a  mile  of 
tlio  towu,  wlidio  a  sinuU  jiiiblic  stood 
that  wayfariiiiuf  men  woro  wont  to 
8toi)  and  icfrcsli  tlicmselvos  at,  my 
prandf;itluT  urged  tlic  disconsolate 
Marion,  who  had  oomo  all  ti)i;  way 
from  Kinyhorn  without  speaking'  a 
single  word,  to  alight  from  tiie  cart, 
and  remain  there  till  the  cloud  of 
niglit,  when  she  might  go  to  her 
mother's  unafHieted  by  the  gaze  of  the 
ftililess  nndtitudc. 

To  this,  at  first,  sho  made  no 
answer;  but  leaping  out  of  the  cart, 
and  standing  still  for  a  moment,  slie 
looked  wistfully  at  her  sister  and 
daughter,  and  then  began  to  weep, 
crying,  "  Gang  yo  awa,  and  no  mind 
me." 

Elspa  remonstrated  with  her  for 
sonic  time,  but  she  was  not  to  bo  en- 
treated :  "  Go  yc  on  wi'  your  gudenian 
and  Agnes,"  she  repeated,  "and  let 
me  come  by  mysel'," 

"  No,  Marion,"  replied  her  sister, 
"  that  siia'na  be ;  I'll  no  let  you  do 
that:  if  ye  will  mak  sic  a  pilgrimage, 
I'll  bear  you  company." 

Her  daughter,  who  had  all  this 
time  stood  silent  with  the  tear  in  her 
e'e,  then  said,  "I'll  gang  wi'  yon, 
mother,  too." 

"Mother! — O  Agnes  Kilspinnie, 
dinna  sac  wraug  yoursel',  and  your 
honest  father,  as  to  ca'  the  like  o'  me 
mother  But  did  yc  say  yo  would 
come  wi'  mc?" — and  she  dropped 
vehemently  on  her  knees,  aui!  spread- 
ing her  arms  to  tlie  skies,  cried  out 
with  a  loud  and  wild  voice — 

"God,  God!  is  Thy  goodness  so 
great,  that  thou  canst  already  vouch- 
safe to  mo  a  mercy  like  this?'' 

Seeing  her  so  bent  on  going  into 
the  town,  and  his  wife  and  her 
dangliter  so  mindit  to  go  with  her, 
my  grandfather  said  it  would  bo  na 


well  for  him  to  rini  forward  and  pre- 
pare her  mother  for  her  coming;  ho 
lie  left  them,  and  hastenetl  into  tiie 
town,  thinking  tlioy  would  come  in 
tlie  cart;  but  wlien  he  was  gone, 
Marion,  still  in  the  hope  she  niiglit 
get  her  sister  and  daugiiter  dissuaded 
from  accompanying  her,  told  tliem 
that  she  was  resolved  to  go  on  her 
bare  feet ;  and,  having  2>aid  the  King- 
horn  man  for  his  cart,  the  three  set 
forward  together,  Elspa  on  the  right 
hand  and  Agnes  on  the  left  hand  of 
the  lowly  penitent. 

In  the  meantime  my  grandfather 
hastened  to  the  dwelling  of  Widow 
lluet,  his  gude-mother,  to  tell  her 
who  was  coming,  and  to  prepare  her 
aged  mind  for  the  sore  shock. 

'J  he  news  were  at  first  as  glad 
tidings  to  the  humane  old  woman  ; 
but  every  now  and  then  she  began  to 
start,  and  to  listen, — and  a  tear  fell 
from  her  eye.  In  that  state  she  had 
not  been  long,  when  the  sougli  of  a 
din  gathering  at  a  distance  was  heard. 

Aiy  grauiifather  hearing  the  sound 
drawing  nearer  and  nearer,  went  out 
of  the  house  to  see  if  his  presence 
might  be  any  protection ;  but  the 
siglit  he  saw  was  even  more  sorrowful 
than  the  aged  mother's  grief. 

Instead  of  tlio  cart  in  which  ho 
expected  to  see  the  women,  he  beheld 
them  coming  along,  side  by  side,  to- 
gether, attended  by  a  great  multitude. 
Among  others  that  ran  from  the  cau- 
sey-side to  look  in  the  face  of  Marion 
— still  beautiful,  though  faded,  but 
shining  with  something  brighter  than 
beauty — there  was  a  little  boy  that 
went  up  close  to  her,  and  took  her  by 
the  hand,  wi'hout  speaking,  and  led 
her  along,  lie  was  her  own  son  ; 
but  still  she  moved  not  her  solemn 
heavenward  eye,  though  a  universal 
fobbing  burst  from  all  the  multitude  ; 
and  my  grandfather,  at  the  piteous 
pageantry,  was  no  longer  able  to  re- 
main master  of  his  feelings.    Seeing 


J 


00 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


however,  that  the  mournful  actors 
therein  were  going  on  towards  Bailie 
Kil-spinnie's,  and  not  intending  to 
stop,  as  he  expected  they  wouhl,  at 
Widow  lluet's  door,  lie  ran  forward 
to  warn  liis  old  friend  ;  but  in  this  he 
was  too  late ;  sonic  one  had  been 
already  there  ;  and  he  found  the  poor 
man,  witii  his  three  other  children, 
standing  at  the  door,  seemingly  utterly 
at  a  loss  to  know  what  bis  duty 
should  be. 

At  that  juncture  tlio  multitude 
came  rushing  on  before  the  women, 
and  halted  in  front  of  the  bailie's 
house. 

When  Agnes  Kilspinnie  and  her 
brother  saw  their  father  and  brother 
and  sisters  at  the  door,  they  quitted 
their  mother  and  joined  them,  as  if 
instructed  by  an  instinct,  while  she 
slowly  approached. 

Elspa  lluet,  who  had  hitherto 
maintjiined  a  serene  and  resigned 
composure  of  countcnanrie,  was  so 
moved  at  this  sail  spectacle,  that  my 
grandfather,  seeing  her  distress, 
stepped  out  and  caught  lier  in  his 
arms,  and  supported  her  from  falling, 
she  was  so  faint  with  anguish  of 
heart. 

In  the  same  moment,  with  a  look 
that  struck  awe  and  consternation 
into  every  one  around,  oMarion  stepped 
on  towards  her  husband  and  children, 
and  gazed  at  them ,  and  then  dropped 
on  her  knees,  while  they  went  in  and 
shut  the  door. 

The  multitude  uttered  a  fearful 
Bougli  ;  Elspa  Ruet,  roused  by  it, 
rushed  from  my  grandfather  towards 
her  sister,  and  stooping,  tried  to 
rais(>  her  up.  Poor  Manon,  still 
kneeling,  looked  around  to  the  people, 
who  stood  all  as  still  as  mourners  at 
an  interment,  and  her  dark  ringlets 
falling  loose,  made  her  pale  face 
appear  of  an  unearthly  fairness.  She 
seemed  as  if  she  would  have  said 
something  to  her  sister,  who    had 


clasped  h'!r  by  tlie  hand,  but  litherly 
swinging  backward,  siie  laid  iicr  head 
down  on  her  husband's  threshold, 
and  gave  a  heavy  sigh,  and  died. 

The  burial  of  Marion  lluet  was 
decently  attended  to  by  IJailie  Kil- 
spinnie and  all  his  family.  And  my 
grandfather,  with  his  wife,  having  spent 
some  time  after  witli  tiieir  friends  at 
Crail,  returned  homeward  by  them- 
selves, passing  over  to  Edinburgh, 
that  they  might  taste  once  more  of  the 
elixir  of  salvation  as  dispensed  by 
John  Knox,  who  had  been  for  son.o 
time  in  a  complaining  way,  and  it  was 
by  many  thought  that  the  end  of  his 
preaching  was  «lrawing  nigh. 

It  happened  that  tlie  dreadful  tid- 
ings of  the  murder  of  the  Protestants 
in  France,  by  the  command  of  "  the 
accursed  king,"  reached  Edinburgh 
in  the  night  before  my  grandfatluT 
and  his  wife  returned  thither  ;  and  he 
used  to  s]K'ak  of  the  consternation 
that  they  found  reigning  in  the  city 
when  they  arrived  there,  .as  a  thing 
very  awful  to  think  of.  Every  shop 
was  shut,  and  every  window  closid; 
for  it  was  the  usage  in  those  days, 
when  death  was  in  a  house,  to  closo 
all  the  windows,  so  that  the  appear- 
ance of  the  town  was  as  if,  for  the 
obduracy  of  their  idolatrous  sovereign, 
the  destroying  angel  had  slain  all  the 
first  born,  and  that  a  dead  body  was 
then  lying  in  every  family. 

There  was  also  a  terrifying  solem- 
nity in  the  streets ;  for,  though  tiiey 
were  as  if  .all  the  people  had  conio 
forth  in  p.anic  and  sa<l  wonderment, 
many  were  clothed  in  black,  and  there 
was  a  funereal  stillness, — a  dism.-d 
sense  of  calamity  that  hushed  the 
voices  of  men,  .and  friends  meeting 
one  another,  lifted  up  their  hands, 
and  shuddering,  passed  by  without 
speaking.  My  grandfather  saw  but 
one,  between  Leith  Wynd  and  the 
door  of  the  house  in  the  Lawnm.arket, 
where  he  proposed  to  lodge,  that  wore 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


67 


a  smile,  nnd  it  was  not  of  jileasurc, 
but  of  uviiricc  countiiif,'  its  giiius. 

The  man  was  one  Hans  IJorphcn, 
an  armourer  that  had  feathered  his 
nest  iu  tlie  raids  of  the  war  with  tlie 
Queen  Kegeut,  lie  was  a  Kornian 
by  birth,  and  had  learnt  the  temper- 
ing of  steel  in  (lermany.  In  his  youth 
he  liad  been  in  the  Iniperator's  service, 
and  had  likewise  worked  in  th:  arsenal 
of  Venetia,  Some  said  he  was  per- 
fected in  his  trade  by  the  infidel  at 
Constantinopolis  ;  but,  however  this 
might  be  no  man  of  that  time  was 
more  famoi  among  roisters  and  moss- 
troopers, foi  lie  edge  and  metal  of  his 
weapons,  thai,  tliat  same  blasphemous 
incomer,  who  thought  of  notliing  but 
the  greed  of  gain,  whether  by  dale  to 
Protestant  or  Papist ;  so  that  the 
sight  of  his  hard  favoured  visage, 
blith.  ned  with  satisfaction,  was  to  my 
grandfather,  who  knew  him  well  by 
repute,  as  au  omen  of  portentous 
aspect. 

For  two  days  the  city  continued 
in  that  dismal  state,  and  on  the  third, 
which  was  the  Sabbath,  the  churches 
were  so  tilled  that  my  grandmother 
did  not  venture  to  enter  the  High 
Kirk,  where  the  Kefornicr  was  waited 
for  by  many  thirsty  and  languishing 
souls  from  an  early  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing, wlio  desired  to  hear  what  he 
would  say  concerning  the  dark  deeds 
that  had  been  done  in  France.  She 
therefore  reftlrued  to  the  Lawnmar- 
ket ;  but  my  grandfather  worked  his 
way  into  the  heart  of  the  crowd, 
where  he  had  not  long  been  when  a 
nmrmur  announced  tl.at  Master  Knox 
was  coming,  and  sooji  after  he  entered 
the  kirk. 

lie  had  now  the  appearance  of 
great  age  and  weakness,  and  he  walked 
with  slow  and  tottering  steps,  wear- 
ing a  virl  of  fur  round  his  neck,  and 
a  staff  in  one  hand,  godlie  Richie  Bal- 
landen,  his  man,  holding  him  up  by 
the  oxter.    And  when  he  came  to  the 


a 


foot  of  the  pulpit,  Jtichie,  by  the  help 
of  another  servant  that  followed  with 
TiiK  IJooK,  lifted  him  up  the  steps 
into  it,  where  he  was  seemingly  so 
exhausted  that"  he  was  obligated  to 
rest  for  the  space  of  several  minutes. 
No  man  who  had  never  seen  him  be- 
fore could"  have  thought  that  one  so 
frail  would  have  had  ability  to  have 
given  out  even  the  psalm  ;  but  when 
he  began  the  Spirit  descended  upon 
him,  and  he  was  so  kindled  that  at 
last  his  voice  became  as  awful  as  the 
thunders  of  wrath,  and  his  arm  was 
strengthened  as  with  the  strength  of 
a  champion's.  The  kirk  diried  to  the 
foundations,  the  hearts  of  his  hearers 
shook,  till  the  earth  of  their  sins  was 
sliaken  clean  from  them,  and  he  ap- 
peared in  the  whirlwind  of  inspira- 
tion, as  if  his  spirit  was  mounting, 
like  the  prophet  Elijah,  in  a  fiery 
chariot  to  the  gates  of  heaven. 

His  discourse  was  of  the  children 
of  Bethlehem  slain  by  Herod,  and  he 
spoke  of  the  dreadful  sound  of  a  bell 
and  a  trumpet  heard  suddenly  in  the 
midnight  hour,  when  all  were  fast 
bound,  and  lying  defenceless  in  the 
fetters  of  sleep.  He  described  the 
dreadful  knocking  at  the  doors — the 
bursting  in  of  men  with  dr;  wn  swords 
— how  babies  were  harled  by  the 
arms  from  their  mothers'  beds  and 
bosoms,  and  dashed  to  death  upon 
the  marble  floors.  He  told  of  parents 
that  stood  in  tiic  porches  of  their 
houses  and  made  themselves  the 
doors  that  the  slayers  were  obliged 
to  hew  in  pieces  before  they  could 
enter  in.  He  pictured  the  women 
flying  along  the  street  with  their  in- 
fants in  their  arms,  and  how  tiio 
rulliaiis  of  the  accursed  king,  know- 
ing their  prey  by  their  cries,  ran  after 
them,  caught  the  mother  by  the  hair 
and  the  bairn  by  the  throat,  and,  in 
one  act,  flung  the  innocent  to  the 
stones  and  trampled  out  its  life. 
Then  he  paused,  and  eaid,  in  a  soft 


/ 


98 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


niid  thankful  voice,  that  in  tho 
liorrors  of  Bethlehem  there  was  still 
much  mercy  ;  for  tho  idolatroua  dread 
of  Herod  prompted  Iiim  to  slay  but 
young  cliildren,  wlioso  blamelesa  lives 
were  to  their  weeping  parents  an 
assurance  of  their  acceptance  into 
heaven. 

"What,  then,"  ho  cried,  "arc  we 
to  think  of  that  night,  ami  of  that 
king,  and  of  that  people,,  among 
whom,  by  whom,  snd  with  wliom, 
the  commissioned  murderer  twisted 
his  grip  in  the  fugitive  old  man's  grey 
hairs,  to  draw  back  his  head  that  tiie 
knife  might  the  surer  reach  his  heart? 
With  what  eyes,  being  already  blinded 
with  weeping,  shall  we  turn  to  that 
city  where  the  withered  hands  of  tho 
grandmother  were  deemed  as  weapons 
of  war  by  tlie  strong  and  black-a-vised 
slaughterer,  whose  sword  was  owre 
vehemently  used  for  a'  tho  feckless 
remnant  of  life  it  had  to  cut !  liut 
deaths  like  these  were  brief  and 
blessed  compared  to  other  things — 
which.  Heaven  be  praised,  I  have  not 
the  power  to  describe,  and  which, 
among  tins  Protestant  congregation, 
I  trust  there  is  not  one  able  to  imagine, 
or  who,  trying  to  conceive,  descries 
but  in  dark  and  misty  vision  the  pains 
of  mangled  motliers  ;  babes,  untimely 
and  unquickened.  cast  on  the  dung- 
liills  and  into  tho  troughs  of  swivie  ; 
of  bhick-iron  hooks  fastened  into  t!  o 
mouths,  and  riven  through  the  cheeks 
of  brave  men,  whose  arms  are  tied 
with  cords  behind,  as  they  are  dragged 
into  the  rivers  to  drown,  by  those 
who  durst  not  in  fair  battle  endure  ti)o 
lightning  of  tlieir  eyes. — O,  Herod ! 
— Herod  of  Judea — tiiy  name  is  here- 
after bright,  for  in  tliy  bloody  busi- 
ness thou  wnst  thyself  nowhere  to  be 
seen.  In  the  vonts  and  abysses  of 
thy  unstained  palace,  thou  hidst  thy- 
self from  the  eye  of  history,  and  pcr- 
liaps  liumanely  sat  coverimif  thin^  ears 
with  thy  liands  to  shut  out  the  sound 


of  tho  wail  and  woo  around  thee.  But 
this  Herod — let  me  not  call  him  by  so 
humane  a  name.  No :  let  all  tho 
trumpets  of  justice  sound  hia  OAvn  to 
everlasting  infamy — Charles  the  Ninth 
of  France  !  And  lot  his  ambassador 
that  is  here  ayo  yet,  yet  to  this  time 
audaciously  in  this  Christian  land,  let 
him  tell  his  niastor  that  sentence  hw 
been  pronounced  against  him  in  Scot- 
land ;  that  the  Divine  vengeance  will 
never  depart  from  him  or  hi«  house 
until  repentance  has  ensue. i,  and 
atonement  been  made  in  their  own 
race ;  that  his  name  will  remain  a  blot 
— a  blot  of  blood,  a  stain  never  to  bo 
effaced — a  thing  to  be  pronounced 
with  a  curse  by  all  posterity ;  and  that 
none  proceeding  from  his  loins  shall 
ever  enjoy  his  kingdom  in  peace." 

The  preacher,  on  saying  these  pro- 
phetic words,  paused,  and,  with  his 
eyes  fixed  upwards,  he  stood  some 
time  silent,  and  then,  clasping  his 
hands  together,  exclaimed,  with  fear 
and  trembling  upon  him,  "Lord, 
Lord,  thy  will  be  done !  " 

Many  thought  that  ho  had  then 
received  some  great  apocalypse ;  for 
it  was*  observed  of  all  men  that  he  wao 
never  after  like  the  man  he  had  once 
been,  but  highly  and  holily  elevated 
above  earthly  cares  and  considera- 
tions, saving  those  only  of  his  mini- 
stry, and  which  he  hastened  to  close. 
He  was  as  one  that  no  longer  had 
trust,  portion,  or  interest  in  this  tem- 
poral world,  which  in  loss  than  two 
months  after  he  bade  farewell,  and 
was  translated  to  a  better.  Yes,  to  n 
better ;  for  assuredly,  if  there  is  aught 
in  tl)is  life  that  may  be  regarded  as  the 
symbols  of  infoftmcnt  to  the  iidierit- 
ance  of  Heaven,  the  labours  anc^  mini- 
stration of  John  Knox  were  testi- 
monies that  he  had  verily  received  the 
yird  and  stane  of  an  heritage  ou  High. 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


99 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

SnopTi-Y  nfter  jny  grnndfatlicr  had 
rt'tuniccl  witli  liis  wil'o  to  tlioir  quiet 
dwclliiifif  at  Quliarist  on  the  (Jarnock 
Bido,  liu  began,  in  the  courso  of  tlic 
winter  following,  to  suffer  an  occa- 
Kioiiiil  pang  in  that  part  of  liia  body 
whieli  Avas  damaged  ny  the  fall  lie  got 
ill  rugging  down  the  Virgin  ilary  out 
of  her  niche  in  the  idolatrous  abbey- 
kirk  of  Kilwinning,  and  the  anguish 
of  his  Buffering  grew  to  such  a  liead 
by  Candlemas  that  he  was  obligated  to 
sendforhi8oldacquaintance,Dorfiinick 
Callender,  who  had,  after  his  marriage 
'with  tho  nun,  settled  as  a  doctor  of 
physic  in  tho  godly  town  of  Irvine, 
J3ut  for  many  a  day  all  the  skill  and 
medicamcnting  of  Doctor  Callender 
did  him  little  good,  till  Nature  had,  of 
her  own  accord,  worked  out  tho  root 
of  the  evil  in  the  shape  of  a  sklinter  of 
bono.  Still,  though  the  wound  then 
closed,  it  never  was  a  soimd  part,  and 
he  continued  in  consequence  a  lamiter 
for  life.  Yet  were  his  days  greatly 
prolonged  beyond  the  common  lot  of 
man  ;  for  he  lived  till  he  was  ninety- 
one  years,  seven  months,  and  four 
days  old,  and  his  end  at  hvst  v/as  but 
a  pleasant  translation  from  tUe  bodily 
to  the  spiritual  life. 

For  some  days  before  the  close  he 
was  calm  and  cheerful,  rehearsing  to 
the  neighbours  that  came  to  speer  for 
him.  many  things  like  those  of  which 
I  have  spoken  herein.  Towards  tho 
evening  a  serene  drowsinosa  fell  upon 
him,  like  the  snow  that  falleth  in  sil- 
ence, and  froze  all  his  temporal  facul- 
ties in  so  gentle  a  manner,  that  it 
could  not  be  said  he  knew  what  it  was 
to  die ;  being,  as  it  were,  carried  in 
the  downy  arms  of  sleep  to  the  portal 
door  of  Death,  where  all  the  pains  and 
terrorts  that  guard  the  same  werj 
hushed,  and  stood  mute  aroxmd,  as  he 
was  softly  received  in. 

No  doubt  there  was  something  of 


a  providential  design  in  tho  singular 

In-olongation    of  such  a  pious    and 
)lamele83  life  ;  for  through  itthepos- 
pcssor  becninc  a  blessed  mean  of  sow- 
ing, in  the  hearts  of  his  children  and 
neighbours,  the  seeds  of  those  sacred 
principles,    which    afterAvards    made 
tliLm    stand  firm  in   their  religions 
integrity  when  they  were  so  grievously 
tried.     For  myself  I  was  too  young, 
being  scant  of  eight  years  when  he  de- 
parted, to  know  the  worth  of  those 
precious  things  which  he  had  treasured 
in  the  garnel  of  his  spirit  for  seed-corn 
unto  the  Lord  ;  and  therefore,  though 
I  often  heard  him  speak  of  the  ridd- 
ling wherewith  that  mighty  husband- 
man of  the  Reformation,  John  Knox, 
riddled  the  truths  of  tho  gospel  from 
the  errors  of  papistry,  I  am  bound  to 
say,  that  his  own  exceeding  venerable 
appearance,  and  the  visions  of  past 
events,  which  the  eloquence  of  his 
traditions  called  up  to  my  young  fancy, 
worked  deeper  and  more  thorouglily 
into  my  nature,  than  the  reasons  and 
motives  which  guided  and  governed 
many  of  his  other  disciples.     But,  be- 
fore proceeding  with  my  own  story, 
it  is  meet  that  I  should  still  tell  the 
courteous  reader    some    few    things 
wherein  my  father  bore  a  part, — a  man 
of  very  austere  character,  and  of  a  most 
godly,  though,  as  some  said,  rather  of 
a  stubbornly  affection  for  the  forms  of 
worship  which  had  been  established 
by  John  Knox  and  the  pious  worthies 
of  his  times ;  he  was  withal  a  single- 
minded  Christian,  albeit  more  ready 
for  a  raid  than  subtle  in  argument, 
lie  had,  like  all  who  knew  the  old 
people  his  parents,  a  by-common  re- 
verence for  them ;  and  spoke  of  the 
patriarchs  with  whom  of  old  the  Lord 
was  wont  to  hold  communion,  as  more 
favoured  of  Him  than  David  or  Solo- 
mon, or  any  otlicf  princes  or  kings. 

When  he  was  very  young,  not 
passing,  as  I  have  heard  him  often 
tell,  more  than  six  or  seven  years  of 


v^ 


m 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


ago,  he  was  taken,  along  witli  hia 
bretlircn,  by  my  grandfather,  to  see 
the  signing  at  Irvine  oi  tiio  Covenant, 
with  which,  in  tlio  lowering  time  of 
the  Spanish  armiida,  King  James,  the 
son  of  Mary,  together  with  nil  the 
Reformed,  bound  themselves  in  solemn 
compact  to  uphold  the  Protestant  re- 
ligion. Afterwards,  when  ho  saw  the 
country  rise  in  arms,  and  heard  of  the 
ward  and  watch,  and  tho  beacons 
ready  on  the  hills,  his  imagination 
was  kindled  with  some  dreadful  con- 
ceit of  the  armada,  and  he  thought  it 
could  be  nothing  less  than  some  awful 
and  horrible  creature  sent  from  tho 
shores  of  perdition  to  devour  the 
whole  land.  The  image  he  had  thus 
framed  in  '•'«  ^"ars  haunted  him  con- 
tinually; -ight  after  night  he 
could  no'  for  thinking  of  its 
talons  of  oraLid,  and  wings  of  thunder, 
and  nostrils  flaming  tire,  and  the  iron 
teeth  with  which  it  was  to  grind  and 
gnash  the  bodies  and  bones  of  all 
Protestants,  insomuch  that  his  parents 
were  concerned  for  the  health  of  his 
mind,  and  wist  not  what  to  do  to 
appease  the  terrors  of  his  visions. 

At  last,  however,  the  great  Judith 
of  the  Protestant  cause.  Queen  Eliza- 
betli  of  England,  being  enabled  to 
drive  a  nail  into  the  head  of  that 
Ilolofornes  of  the  idolaters,  and  many 
of  the  host  of  ships  having  been 
plunged,  by  the  right  arm  of  the 
tempest,  into  the  depths  of  the  seas, 
and  scattered  by  the  breath  of  the 
storm,  like  froth  over  the  ocean,  it 
happened  that,  one  morning  about  the 
end  of  July,  a  cry  arose  that  a  huge 
galley  of  the  armada  was  driven  on 
the  rocks  at  Pencorse ;  and  all  the 
shire  of  Ayr  hastened  to  the  spot  to 
behold  and  witness  her  shipwreck  and 
overthrow.  Among  others  my  grand- 
father, with  his  three  eldest  sons, 
went,  leaving  my  father  at  home ; 
but  his  horrors  grew  to  such  a  passion 
of  fear,  that  his  mother,  the  calm  and 


pious  Elspa  lluet,  resolved  to  take 
him  thither  likewise,  and  to  give  him 
tho  evidence  of  his  eyes,  that  tho 
dreadful  amiada  was  but  a  navy  of 
vessels  liko  the  ship  which  was  cast 
upon  the  shore.  By  this  prudent 
thought  of  her,  when  ho  arrived  at  tho 
spot  his  apprehensions  were  soothed ; 
but  his  mind  had  ever  after  a  strange 
habitude  of  forming  wild  and  wonder- 
ful images  of  every  danger,  whereof 
tho  scope  and  nature  was  not  very 
clearly  discerned,  and  which  con- 
tinued with  Dim  till  the  end  of  his 
days. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  my  grand- 
father, he  had  occasion  to  go  into 
Edinburgh  anent  some  matter  of 
legacy  tha.  had  fallen  to  us,  through 
the  decease  of  an  uncle  of  my  mother, 
a  bonnet-maker  in  tho  Canongate; 
and,  on  his  arrival  there,  he  found 
men's  minds  in  a  sore  fever  concern- 
ing the  rash  counsels  wherewith  King 
Charles  the  First,  then  reigning,  was 
mindit  to  interfere  with  the  pure 
worship  of  God,  and  to  enact  a  part 
in  the  kirk  of  Scotland  little  short  of 
the  papistical  domination  of  tho  Ro- 
man Antichrist.  To  all  men  tiiis 
was  startling  tidings ;  but  to  my  futlier 
it  was  an  enormity  that  fired  his  blood 
and  spirit  with  the  fierceness  of  a 
furnace.  And  it  happened  that  ho 
lodged  with  a  friend  of  ours,  one 
Janet  Geddes,  a  most  pious  woman, 
who  had  suffered  great  molestation 
in  her  worldly  suostance,  from  certain 
endeavours  for  tho  restoration  of  the 
horns  of  tho  mitre,  and  the  prelatic 
buskings  with  which  that  meddling 
and  fantastical  bodie.  King  James  tiio 
Sixth,  would  fain  have  buskit  and  dis- 
guised the  sober  simplicity  of  gospel 
ordinances. 

No  two  persons  could  be  more 
heartily  in  unison  upon  any  point  of 
controversy,  than  was  my  worthy 
father  and  Janet  Geddes,  concerning 
the  enormities  that  would  of  a  ueces- 


rJNOAlT  GILHAIZE. 


Bity  ensuo  from  the  papisticul  preten- 
Bions  nnd  unrighteous  usurpation  of 
Kin^  Charles  ;  and  they  sat  crooning 
and  lamenting  together,  all  the  Satur- 
day afternoon  and  night,  about  the 
■woes  of  idolatry  that  were  darkening 
again  over  Scotland. 

No  doubt  there  was  both  reason 
and  piety  in  their  fears ;  but  in  the 
method  of  their  sorrow,  from  what  I 
have  known  of  my  father's  earnest 
and  simj)le  character,  I  redde  there 
might  bo  some  lack  of  tiie  decorum  of 
wisdom.  But  be  this  as  it  may,  they 
lieated  the  zeal  of  one  anotlier  to  a 
pitch  of  great  fervour,  and  next  morn- 
ing, the  Sabbath,  they  went  together 
to  the  high  kirk  of  St  Giles  to  sec 
what  the  power  of  an  infatuated 
Government  would  dare  to  do. 

The  kirk  was  filled  to  its  uttermost 
bunkers  ;  my  father,  however,  got  for 
Janet  Geddes,  she  being  an  aged 
woman,  a  stool  near  the  skirts  of  the 
pulpit ;  but  nothing  happened  to 
cjvuso  any  disturbance,  till  the  godly 
Mr  Patrick  I  lenderson  had  made  an 
end  of  the  morning  prayer,  when  ho 
said,  with  tears  in  liis  eyes,  with  re- 
ference to  the  liturgy,  which  was  tlicn 
to  be  promulgated,  "  Adieu,  good 
people,  for  I  tiiink  this  is  the  last 
time  of  my  saying  prayers  in  tliis 
kirk ; "  and  the  congregation  being 
nuich  moved  thereat,  many  wept. 

No  sooner  had  Air  Henderson  re- 
tired, than  Master  Ramsay,  tliat  horn 
of  the  beast,  which  was  called  the 
Dean  of  Edinbur/^h,  appeared  in  tiie 
pulpit  in  the  pomp  of  his  abomina- 
tions, and  began  to  read  tlie  liturgy. 
At  the  first  word  of  which  .lanet 
Geddes  was  so  transported  with  in- 
dignation that,  starting  from  her  stool, 
she  made  it  fly  whirring  at  his  head, 
as  she  cried — "  Villain,  dost  thou  say 
the  mass  at  my  lug  ?  "  Then  such  an 
uj-Toar  began,  as  had  not  been  wit- 
nessed since  the  destruction  of  the 
dels ;    the  women    screaming,  nnd 


clapping  their  hands  in  terrification- 
as  if  the  legions  of  the  Evil  One  had 
been  lei  loose  upon  them :  .  nd  the 
men  crying  alou(l,  "  Ant*,  .at,  anti- 
christ !  down  wi'  the  pope  !  "  and  all 
exhortation  to  quiet  them  was  drown- 
ed in  the  din. 

Sucii  was  the  beginning  of  those 
troubles  in  the  churcii  and  state,  so 
wantonly  provoked  by  the  weak  and 
wicked  policy  of  the  first  King  Charles, 
and  which  in  the  end  brought  himself 
to  an  ignontiiiious  deatli ;  and  such 
tiie  cause  of  that  Solemn  League  and 
Covenant,   to  wliicli,   in    my    greea 

{'ears,  my  father,  soon  after  his  return 
lome,  took  me  to  bo  a  party,  and  to 
which  I  have  been  enabled  to  adhere, 
witli  unerring  constancy,  till  the 
glorious  purpose  of  it  has  all  been 
fulfilled  and  accomplished. 

When  my  father  returned  homo, 
my  mother  and  all  the  family  were 
grieved  to  see  his  sad  and  altered 
looks.  We  gathered  around  him,  and 
she  thought  he  had  failed  to  get  the 
legacy,  and  comforted  him,  by  saying 
tliey  had  hitherto  fenn't  without  it, 
and  so  might  they  still  do. 

To  her  tender  condolcments  ho 
however  made  no  answer ;  but,  taking 
a  leathern  bfig,  with  the  money  in  it, 
out  of  his  bosom,  he  filing  it  on  tho 
table,  saying,  "  What  care  I  for  this 
world's  trash,  when  the  ark  of  the 
Lord  is  taken  from  IsraiJ  ?  "  which  to 
hear  daunted  the  hearts  of  all  present. 
And  then  he  told  us,  after  some  time, 
what  was  doing  on  the  part  of  tho 
King  to  bring  in  the  worship  of  tho 
Beast  again ;  rehearsing,  with  many 
circumstances,  the  consternation  and 
sorrow  and  rage  and  lamentations  that 
he  had  witnessed  in  Edinburgh. 

I,  who  was  the  ninth  of  his  ten 
children,  and  then  not  passing  nine 
years  old,  was  thrilled  with  an  un- 
speakable fear ;  and  all  the  dreadful 
things,  which  1  had  heard  my  grand- 
father tell  of  the  tribulations  of  his 


Idi 


RINOAN  QILHATZE. 


time,  came  upon  my  spirit  like  visions 
of  tlio  visiblo  scene,  and  I  began  to 
•weep  with  nn  excoedinj^  sorrow,  inso- 
nnieh  tliat  my  fatiicr  was  auiazeil,  and 
caressed  mo,  and  tliaidced  Heaven  tliat 
one  so  yoniirf  in  liis  liouso  felt  as  a 
I'l-ote.stant  ciiild  sliould  feci  in  i\n 
epoch  of  such  calamity. 

It  was  then  late  in  the  afternoon, 
towards  tiie  gloaminff,  and  having 
partaken  of  some  refreshment,  my 
father  took  the  big  Bible  from  the 
press-head,  and,  after  a  prayer  uttr  a 
in  great  lieaviness  of  spirit,  he  read  u 
portion  of  the  llcvelations,  concerning 
the  vials  and  tlie  woes,  exponnding 
the  same  like  a  preacher ;  and  we  were 
all  filled  with  anxieties  and  terrors : 
some  of  the  younger  members  trembled 
with  the  thought  that  the  last  day  was 
suiely  at  hand. 

Next  morning  a  sough  and  rnmour 
of  that  solemn  venting  of  Christian 
indignation  which  had  been  mani- 
fested at  Edinburgh,  having  readied 
our  country-side,  and  the  neighbours 
hearing  of  my  father's  return,  many 
of  tliem  came  at  night  to  our  house  to 
hear  the  news ;  and  it  was  a  meeting 
that  none  present  tiicreat  could  ever 
after  forget: — well  do  I  mind  every 
thing  as  if  it  had  happened  but  yes- 
treen. I  was  sitting  on  a  laigii  stool 
at  the  fireside,  between  the  cliimley- 
lug  and  the  gown-tail  of  old  Nausc 
Snoddie,  my  mother's  aunty,  a  godly 
woman,  that  in  her  eild  wc  took  care 
of;  and  as  young  and  old  came  in, 
the  salutation  was  in  silence,  as  of 
guests  coming  to  a  burial. 

The  first  was  Ebenezer  IMuir,  an 
aged  man,  whose  grandson  stood  many 
a  blast  in  the  persecution  of  the  latter 
days,  both  with  the  BlackculTs  and  the 
bloody  dragoons  of  the  remorseless 
Graham  of  Claver.  He  was  bent  with 
the  burden  of  time,  and  leaning  on 
liis  staff,  and  his  long  white  hair  hung 
down  from  aneath  his  broiic^  blue 
bonnet.  He  vras  one  whom  my  grand- 


father held  in  great  respect  for  the 
sincerity  of  his  principiis  and  the  dis- 
cretion of  his  judgment,  and  among 
:11  his  neighbours,  and  nowhere  moro 
than  in  our  house,  was  he  considered 
a  most  patriarchal  character. 

"  Cume  awa,  Ebenezer,"  said  my 
father,  "I'm  blithe  and  I'm  sorrowful 
to  see  you.  This  night  we  may  bo 
sjiar't  to  sneak  in  peace  of  the  things 
that  pertiim  unto  salvation;  but  tlio 
day  and  the  hour  is  not  far  off,  when 
the  flock  of  Christ  shall  bo  scattered 
and  driven  from  the  pastures  of  their 
Divine  blaster." 

To  these  words  of  affliction  Eben- 
ezer ^luir  made  no  response,  but  went 
straight  to  the  fireside,  facing  Nanso 
Snoddie,  and  sat  down  without  speak- 
ing; and  my  father,  then  observiiig 
John  Fullarton  of  Dykedivots  coming 
in,  stretched  out  his  ]iand,,and  took 
hold  of  his,  and  drew  him  to  sit  down 
by  his  side. 

They  had  bec]i  in  a  manner 
brotlier.s  from  their  j'outh  upwards  : 
an  uncle  of  John  Fullarton's,  by 
whom  ho  was  brought  up,  had  been 
owner,  and  he  liimself  had  heired, 
and  was  tlien  possessor  of,  the  mailing 
of  Dykcdivot,  beside  ours.  Ho  was 
the  father  of  four  brave  sons,  the 
youngest  of  whom,  a  stripling  of  somo 
tliirteen  or  fourteen  years,  was  at  his 
back  ;  the  other  three  came  in  after- 
wards. He  was,  moreover,  a  man  of 
a  stout  and  courageous  nature,  though 
of  a  much-enduring  temper. 

"  I  hope,"  said  ho  to  my  father, 
"I  hope,  Sawners,  a'  this  straemash 
and  hobbleshow  that  fell  out  las6 
Sabbath  in  Embro'  has  been  seen  wi' 
tlio  glamoured  een  o'  fear,  and  that 
the  King  and  Government  canna  bo 
sae  far  left  to  themscLs  as  to  meddle 
wi'  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord." 

"  I  doot,  I  doot,  it's  owrc  true, 
John,"  replied  my  father  in  a  very 
mournful  manner ;  and  while  they 
were  thus  speaking,  Nahum  Chapel- 


RINGAN  OILHAIZE. 


103 


rip  cnnio  lu'ii.  IFownsayounp  ninn, 
and  lii.s  fntlier  liciiig  precentor  nml 
BfliOdhiiMstcr  of  tlio  jiarisli,  lio  lind 
more  lair  fluin  eomnioiily  falls  to  the 
lilt  of  eoiintry  folk;  over  and  alioon 
tliin,  lie  WAH  of  a  Hjiirit^  disposition, 
«nd  l)otli  eydent  an<l  e!if,'er  in  wliatHO- 
cver  li(!  undertook,  so  that  for  his 
years  lie  was  greatly  looked  up  to 
nninnf,'  ail  his  ncrpiaintance,  uotwith- 
staiiiliiif;  a  Hiiiall  npi(;in  of  conceit  that 
lio  was  in  with  liiiiiHclf. 

On  Hceinf,'  liiin  coming  in, 
Morthy  Khenezer  ]\Iuir  made  a  sign 
for  liini  to  draw  near  and  sit  by  liim  ; 
and  when  iie  went  forward,  and  drew 
1'  a  stool,  the  old  man  took  hold  of 
liini  by  the  hand,  and  said,  *'  Yo're 
weel  conic,  Nnhuni ;  "  and  niy  father 
added,  ''Ay,  Xahuni  ("hapelrig,  it's 
fast  coming  to  pass,  ;is  ye  liacs  been 
aye  saying  it  woidd  ;  the  King  hasna 
restit  wi''  putting  tho  prelates  upon 
us." 

"What's  to  prelates,  ilobin  Tnl- 
larton  V  "  said  auld  Nanse  Snoddie, 
turning  round  to  .John's  son,  Av!io 
was  standing  behind  his  father. 

•'  They're  the  red  dragons  o'  un- 
righteousness," re))lied  tiio  sincere 
luddie  with  great  vehemence. 

"  (lude  guide  us!"  cried  Nanso 
with  the  voice  of  terror;  "and  has 
the  King  daur't  to  send  sic  accursed 
thinj,'s  to  devour  God's  people?  " 

Ihit  my  mother,  who  was  sitting 
behind  me,  touched  her  on  the  slioul- 
der,  bidding  Jior  be  quiet;    for  the 

f)oor  woniau,  being  then  doited,  when 
eft  to  the  freedom  of  her  ov/u  will, 
.was  apt  to  expatiate  without  ceasing 
on  whatsoever  she  happened  to   dis- 
course anent ;  and  Nalium  Cliapelrig 
said  to  my  father — 

"'Deed,  Sawners  Gilliaizo,  we 
could  look  for  nac  better  ;  prelacy  is 
hut  the  prelude  o' pajiistry:  but  the 
papistry  o'  this  prelude  is  a  perilous 
papistry  indeed;  for  its  roots  of 
ranknesa  arc  iu  the  midden-Lcad  of 


Arminianisni,  which,  in  a  sense,  is  a 
greater  Antichrist  tliau  Antichrist 
liiniHclf,  even  whore  he  sits  on  his 
throne  of  tliraldom  iu  the  lloniaii 
vaticaiio.  IJiit  nevertheless,  I  trust 
and  liope,  that  liioiigii  tho  young 
bride  of  I'rotcstantiom  be  for  a  heason 
thrown  down,  .die  shall  not  be  over- 
come, liiit  will  HO  strive  and  war«Io 
with  tlie  foul  g'.Jj  .  of  that  rampant 
Arminian,  tho  Ki  Jish  high-priest 
Laud,  that  bo  ^liaU  himself  l»o  cast 
into  the  mir  ,  or  choketwi'  the  stouro 
of  his  own  baliicfu's  of  abominationB, 
wherewith  ho  would  overwhelm  and 
bury  tlio  Evangil.  Yea,  even  though 
the  shield  of  his  uiighty  men  is  made 
red,  and  liis  valiintmcn  arc  iu  scarlet, 
lie  sliall  recount  his  wortliies,  but  they 
shall  stumble  in  their  Avalk." 

AVhilo  Nahura  Avas  thus  holding 
forth,  tiic  house  fdled  even  to  Iho 
trance 'door  with  the  neighbours,  old 
and  young  ;  and  several  from  time  to 
time  spoke  bitterly  against  the  deadly 
f-iu  and  aggression  which  the  King 
was  committing  in  the  crime  that  the 
reading  of  the  liturgy  was  upon  the 
conscieiices  of  his  [leople.  At  last 
Kbenezer  Muir,  taking  off  his  bonnet, 
and  rising  laid  it  down  on  his  seat 
behind  him,  and  then  re-^ting  with 
both  his  hanosou  hisstalT,  looked  up, 
— and  everyone  was  hushed.  Truly 
it  was  an  affecting  sight  to  behold 
that  very  aged,  time-bent,  and  vene- 
rable man  so  standing  iu  the  midst 
of  all  his  dismayed  and  pious  neigh- 
bours,— his  grey  hairs  flowing  from 
his  haffets. — and  the  light  of  our 
lowly  hearth  shining  upon  his  bald 
head  and  reverent  countenance. 

"Friens,"  said  he,  "I  hae  lived 
lang  in  the  world  ;  au<l  in  this  house 
I  hao  ofti'H  partaken  the  sweet  rep.ist 
of  the  conversations  of  that  sanctified 
character,  Michael  Gilhaizc,  whom  we 
a'  revered  as  a  parent,  not  more  for 
his  ain  worth  than  for  the  great  things 
to  which  he  waa  a  witness  in  the  trials 


104 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


and  troubles  of  the  Reformation  ;  and 
it  seems  to  me,  frae  a'  the  experience 
I  hae  gath^nt,  that  when  auce  kings 
and  governments  hae  taken  a  step,  let 
it  be  ne'er  sae  rash,  there's  a  some- 
thing in  the  nature  of  rule  and  power 
that  winna  let  them  confess  a  fau't, 
though  they  may  afterwards  bo  con- 
strained to  renounce  the  evil  of  their 
ways.  It  was  therefore  wi'  a  sore 
heart  that  I  heard  this  day  the  doleful 
tidings  frae  P^mbro',  and  moreover, 
that  I  hae  listened  to  the  outbreath- 
ings  this  night  of  the  heaviness  where- 
with the  news  hae  oppressed  you  a'. 
Sure  am  I,  that  frae  the  provocation 
given  to  the  people  of  Scotland  bj'  tlie 
King's  miscounselled  majesty,  nothing 
but  tears  and  woes  can  ensue  ;  for  by 
the  manner  in  whicli  they  hae  already 
rebutted  tlie  aggression,  lie  will  in 
return  be  stirred  to  aggrieve  them  still 
farther.  I'm  now  an  auld  man,  and 
may  be  removed  before  the  woes  come 
to  pass ;  out  it  requires  not  the  o'e  of 
prophecy  to  spae  bloodshed,  and  siif- 
fering,  and  many  afflictions  in  your 
fortunes.  Nevertheless,  friens,  be  of 
good  cheer,  for  the  Lord  will  prosper 
his  own  cause.  Nei^he^  king,  nor 
priest,  nor  any  human  authority,  has 
the  right  to  interfere  between  you  and 
your  God ;  and  allegiance  ends  where 
persecution  begins.  Never,  therefore, 
in  the  trials  awaiting  you,  fori:ot  that 
the  right  to  resist  in  matters  of  con- 
science is  the  foundation-stone  of  re- 
ligious liberty ;  O  see,  therefore,  that 
you  guard  it  weel !  " 

The  voice  and  manner  of  the  .aged 
speaker  melted  every  heart.  Many 
of  the  women  sobbed  aloud,  and  the 
children  were  moved,  as  I  was  myself, 
and  as  I  have  often  lieard  tiieni  in 
their  manhood  tell,  as  if  the  spirit  of 
faith  and  fortitude  had  entered  into 
the  very  bones  .and  marrow  of  their 
bodies ;  nor  ever  afterwurds  have  I 
heard  psalm  mng  with  such  melodious 
energy  of  holiness  as  that  pious  con-  . 


gregation  of  simple  country  folk  sung 
the  hundred  and  fortieth  I'sivlm  before 
dep.arting  for  their  lowly  dwellings  on 
that  solemn  evening. 

It  was  on  the  AVednesday  that  my 
fatlier  came  homo  from  Edinburgh. 
On  Friday  the  farmer  lads  and  their 
fatliers  continued  coming  over  to  our 
house  to  hear  the  news,  and  all  their 
discourse  was  concerning  the  manifest 
foretastii  of  papistry  which  was  in  the 
pr.aying  of  the  prayers,  that  an  obdu- 
rate prince  and  an  .alien  Arminiau 
prelate  were  .attempting  to  tliruat  into 
their  moutljs  ;  and  every  one  spc  ke  of 
renewing  tlie  Solemn  League  and 
Coven.ant,  which,  in  the  timts  of  the 
Reformation  and  the  dangers  of  the 
Spfinish  Armada,  had  achieved  such 
great  things  for  Tin:  Tiiuni  and  the 

WOIJD. 

On  Siiturday,  Mr  Sundrnm,  our 
minister,  called  for  my  father  .about 
twelve  o'clock.  He  had  heard  the 
news,  and  also  that  my  fiitlier  had 
come  back.  I  was  doing  something 
on  the  green,  I  forget  now  wliat  it 
was,  when  1  saw  him  coming  towards 
the  door,  .and  I  ran  into  the  houso  to 
tell  my  f.ather,  who  ininicdiately  came 
out  to  meet  him. 

Little  passed  in  my  hearing  be- 
tween them,  for,  after  a  short  inquiry 
concerning  how  my  father  had  fared 
in  the  journey,  the  minister  took  liold 
of  him  by  the  .arm,  and  they  walked 
together  into  the  fields,  where,  when 
they  were  at  some  distance  from  the 
houso,  Mr  Sundrum  stopped,  and 
began  to  discourse  in  a  very  earnest 
and  lively  m.anner,  frequently  touch- 
ing the  i)alin  of  his  left  hand  wiih  the 
fingers  of  his  right,  .as  lie  spoke  to  my 
fatlier,  .and  sometimes  lifting  both  his 
hands  .as  one  in  amaze,  ejuculating  to 
the  heavens. 

While  they  were  thus  reasoning 
together,  worthy  Ebenezer  Muir  came 
tow<ards  the  house,  but,  observing 
where  they  were,  he  turned  off  and 


.^* 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


105 


joined  them,  and  they  continued  all 
three  in  veliement  deliberation,  in  so 
much  that  I  was  drawn  by  the  thirst 
of  curiosity  to  slip  so  near  towards 
them  that  I  could  hear  wiiat  passed  ; 
and  mj-  young  heart  was  pierced  at 
tiie  severe  terms  in  which  the  minister 
was  condemning  the  ringleaders  of 
the  riot,  as  he  called  the  adversaries 
of  popedom  in  Edinburgh,  and  in  a 
manner  rebuking  my  honest  father  aa 
a  sower  of  sedition. 

My  father,  however,  said  stiffly — 
for  he  was  not  a  nian  to  controvert 
witii  a  minister — tiiat  in  all  temporal 
tilings  he  was  a  true  and  leal  subject, 
and  in  what  pertained  to  the  King  as 
king,  he  wou'.v.  stand  as  stoutly  up  for 
as  any  man  in  the  three  kingdoms ; 
but  against  a  usurpation  of  the  Lord's 
riglits,  hi.s  h  uid,  his  heart,  and  his 
f'.itlicr's  sword,  that  had  been  used  in 
the  Keformation,  wore  all  alike  ready. 

Old  Ebenezer  Muir  tried  to  pacify 
liim,  and  reasoned  in  great  gentleness 
with  both,  expressing  liis  concern  that 
a  Presbyterian  minister  could  think 
tliat  tlie  attempt  to  bring  in  prelacy, 
and  the  reading  of  court-contrived 
prayers,  was  not  a  meddling  with 
things  sacred  and  rights  natural,  whicli 
neither  prince  nor  potentate  had  au- 
tiioiity  to  do.  liut  Mr  Sundrum  was 
one  of  tliose  that  longed  for  tlie  fiesh- 

{)ots  of  Egypt,  and  tlie  fat  things  of  a 
ordly  hierarchy ;  and  the  pacilic  re- 
monstrances of  tiie  pious  old  man 
made  him  wax  more  and  more  wroth 
at  what  lie  liatefully  pronounced  their 
rebellious  j  .clinations ;  at  wliich  bitter 
words  both  my  fatlicr  and  Ebenez-er 
]Muir  turned  from  him,  and  went  to- 
gether to  the  iiouse  with  sadness  in 
their  faces,  leaving  him  to  return  the 
way  he  iuul  come  alone — a  thing  which 
filled  mo  with  consternation,  ho  hav- 
ing ever  before  been  treated  and 
reverenced  as  a  pastor  ougiit  always 
i')  be. 

What  comment  my  father  and  tho 


,  but  on 
kirk  was 


old  man  made  on  his  conduct  when 
they  were  alone,  I  know  not ; 
the  Sabbath  morning  the 
filled  to  overflowing,  and  my  father 
took  me  with  him  by  the  hand,  and 
we  sat  together  on  the  same  form  with 
Ebenezer  Muir,  whom  we  found  in 
the  cluirch  before  us. 

When  Mr  Sundrum  mounted  into 
the  pulpit  and  read  the  psalm,  and 
said  tiie  prayer,  there  was  nothing 
particular  ;  but  when  he  prepared  to 
preach,  there  was  a  rustle  of  expecta- 
tion among  all  present ;  for  tlie  text 
he  chose  was  from  llomans,  ciiap. 
xiii.  and  verses  1  and  2  ;  from  wliicli 
he  made  an  endeavour  to  demonstrate, 
as  I  heiird  afterwards,  for  I  was  then 
too  ycung  to  discern  tiie  matter  of  it 
myself,  the  duty  and  advantage  of  pas- 
sive obedience — and,  growing  warm 
with  his  ungospel  rhetoric,  lie  began 
to  rail  and  to  daud  the  pulpit,  in  con- 
demnation of  the  spirit  which  had 
kithed  in  Edinburgh. 

Ebenezer  Muir  and  my  father 
tholed  with  hiui  for  some  time  ;  but 
at  last  he  so  far  forgot  his  place  and 
oHice,  that  they  both  rose  and  moved 
towards  the  door.  Many  others  did 
the  same,  and  presently  the  whole 
congregation,  with  the  exception  of  a 
very  few,  also  began  to  move,  so  tliat 
tlie  kirk  skayled ;  and  from  that  day, 
so  long  a  \i' Sundrum.  continued  in 
the  parish,  ne  was  a  leper  and  an  ex- 
communicant. 

!Meanwliile  the  alarm  was  spread- 
ing far  and  wide,  and  a  blessed  thing 
it  was  for  tl.e  shire  of  Ayr,  though  it 
caused  its  soil  to  besoakened  with  tho 
blood  of  martyrs,  that  few  of  tho 
ministers  were  like  the  time-serving 
Mr  Sundrum,  but  trusty  and  valiant 
defenders  of  tho  green  pastures 
whereon  they*  liad  delighted,  like 
kind  shepherds,  to  lead  their  confid- 
ing flocks,  and  to  cherish  the  young 
lambs  thereof  with  the  tender  em- 
braces of  a  holy  ministry.    Among 


106 


niNGAN  GtLHAlZE. 


the  rest,  that  godly  nnd  great  saint, 
Mr  Swiuton  of  Garnock,  our  ncipili- 
bour  parisli,  stood  courageously  for- 
waid  in  the  gap  of  the  broken  fence 
of  tlie  vineyard,  announcing,  after  a 
most  weiglity  discour?e,  on  the  i5anie 
day  on  which  Air  Sundrum  preached 
the  erroneous  doctrine  of  passive  obe- 
dience, that  next  Sabbath  lie  would 
administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Ijord's 
Supper,  not  knowing  how  long  it 
might  be  in  the  power  of  liis  people 
to  partake  of  it.  Everybody  around 
accordingly  prepared  to  be  present  on 
that  occasion,  and  there  was  a  won- 
derful congregation.  All  the  adja- 
cent parishes  in  succession  did  the 
same  thing  Sabbath  after  Sabbath, 
and  never  was  there  seen,  in  the  me- 
mory of  living  man,  such  a  zealous 
devotion  and  strictness  of  life  as  then 
reigned  throughout  the  whole  West 
Country. 

At  last  the  news  came,  that  it  was 
resolved  among  the  great  and  faithful 
at  Edinburgh  to  renew  the  Solemn 
League  and  Covenant ;  and  the  min- 
isters of  our  neighbourhood  having 
conferred  together  concerning  the 
same,  it  was  agreed  among  them,  t'lat 
the  people  should  be  invited  to  come 
forward  on  a  day  set  apart  for  the 
purpose,  and  that  as  the  kirk  of  Ir- 
vine was  the  biggest  in  the  vicinage, 
the  signatures  both  for  the  country 
and  tliat  town  should  be  received 
there.  ;Mr  Dickson,  the  minister,  than 
whom  no  man  in  his  day  was  more 
brave  in  the  Lord's  cause,  accordingly 
made  the  netdful  preparation,  and 
appointed  the  time. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  young  men 
began  to  gird  themselves  for  war. 
The  swords  that  had  rested  for  many 
a  day  were  drawn  from  their  idle 
places;  and  tiie  women  worked  to- 
gether, that  their  brothers  and  their 
sons  might  be  ready  for  the  field  ; 
but  at  their  work,  instead  of  the  an- 
cient lilts,  they  sung  psalms  and  godly 


ballads.  However,  as  I  mean  not  to 
enter  upon  particulars  of  that  awak- 
ening epoch,  but  only  to  show  forth 
the  pure  and  the  holy  eari.estness  wi^h 
which  the  minds  of  men  were  then  ac- 
tuated, I  shall  hero  refer  the  courteous 
reader  to  the  annals  and  chronicles  of 
the  time,— albeit  the  truth  in  thorn 
has  suffered  from  tl'e  alloy  of  a  base 
servility. 


CIIArXEll    XIV. 

The  sixteenth  day  of  tlune,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1638,  was  appointed  for 
the  renewal  at  Irvine  of  the  Solemn 
League  and  Covenant.  On  the  night 
before,  my  five  elder  brothera,  who 
were  learning  trades  at  Glasgow  and 
Kilmarnock,  came  home  that  they 
might  go  up  with  their  father  to  the 
house  of  God,  in  order  to  set  down 
their  names  together ;  me  and  my  four 
sisters,  the  rest  of  his  ten  children, 
were  still  biding  Avith  our  mother  and 
him  at  the  mailing. 

From  my  grandfather's  time  there 
had  been  a  by-common  respect  among 
the  neighbours  for  our  laniily  on  his 
account ;  and  that  morning  my  bro- 
ther Jacob,  who  happened  to  be  the 
first  that  went,  at  break  of  day,  to 
the  door,  was  surprised  to  see  many 
of  the  cotters  and  neighbouring  far- 
mer lads  already  assembled  on  the 
lone,  waiting  to  walk  with  us  to  tho 
town,  as  a  token  of  their  reverence  for 
the  principles  and  the  memory  of  that 
departed  worthy,  and  they  wore  all 
belted  and  armed  with  swords  like 
men  ready  for  battle. 

Seeing  such  a  concourse  of  the 
neighbours,  instead  of  making  exercise 
in  the  house,  my  father,  as  the  morn- 
ing was  bright  and  lown,  bade  me 
carry  the  liible  and  a  stool  to  tho 
dykeside,  that  our  friends  might  have 
room  to  join  us  in  worship, — which  I 
did    accordingly,  placing  the    stool 


tllNGAir  GILtTAlZK 


107 


under  the  ash-trec,  at  the  corner  of 
tlic  stack-jiircl,  and  l)y  all  tliose 
Avho  were  present  on  that  occasion 
tlie  spot  v,■^^H  over  afterwards  regarded 
as  a  Jiallowed  jilace.  Truly  there  was 
a  scene  and  a  si^^dit  tliere  not  likely 
to  be  forgotten ;  for  the  awful  cause 
tiiat  had  brought  togetlier  that  meet- 
ing was  a  tiling  which  no  man  Avho 
liad  a  part  therein  could  ever  in  all 
Lis  days  forget. 

My  father  chose  the  Ixxvi.  Psalm, 
and  when  it  was  sung,  he  opened  the 
Scriptures  in  Second  Kings,  and  read 
aloud,  with  a  strong  voice,  the  xxiii. 
chapter,  and  every  one  likened  Josiah 
to  the  old  King,  and  Jehoahaz  to  his 
son  Charles,  by  whoso  disregard  of 
the  Covenant  the  spirit  of  the  land 
was  then  in  such  tribulation  ;  and  at 
the  conclusion,  instead  of  kneeling  to 
pray,  as  he  was  wont,  my  father  stood 
up,  and,  as  if  all  temporal  things  were 
then  of  no  account,  he  only  suppli- 
cated that  the  work  they  had  in  hand 
for  that  day  might  be  approved  and 
Bauctiried. 

The  worship  being  over,  the  family 
returned  into  the  houf^e,  and  having 
partaken  of  a  repast  of  bread  and  milk, 
my  father  put  on  hia  father's  sword, 
and  my  brothers,  who  had  brought 
weapons  of  their  own  home  with  them, 
also  belted  themselves  for  the  road. 
I  was  owre  young  to  b3  trysted  for 
war,  so  my  father  led  me  out  by  the 
hand,  and  walking  forward,  followed 
by  my  brothers,  the  neighbours,  two 
and  two,  fell  into  (he  rear,  and  the 
women,  in  their  plaids,  came  mourn- 
ful and  in  tears  at  some  short  distance 
behind. 

As  we  were  thus  proceeding  to- 
wards the  main  road,  we  heard  the 
sound  of  a  drum  and  fife,  and  saw 
over  the  hedge  of  the  lane  that  leads 
to  the  elachan,  a  white  banner  wav- 
ing aloft  with  the  words  "  Sou;mn 
Lkagi'i:  axd  Covknant"  painted 
thereon ;    at  the  eight  of  which  my  j 


father  was  much  disturbed,  saying, — 
"  This  is  some  siily  device  of  Na- 
hum  Chapelrig,  that,  if  we  allow  to 
l^roceed,  may  bring  scoff  and  scorn 
upon  ihe  cause  as  we  enter  the  town  ;" 
and  with  that,  dropping  my  hand,  he 
I'an  forward  and  stopped  their  vain 
bravery ;  for  it  was,  as  he  had  sup- 
posed, the  work  of  Nahuni,  who  was 
marching,  like  n  man-of-war,  a',  the 
head  of  his  band.  However,  on  my 
father's  reraonstrivnce,  he  consented  to 
send  aAvay  his  sounding  instruments 
and  idle  banner,  and  to  walk  com- 
posedly along  with  us. 

As  we  reached  the  town-end  port, 
we  fell  i  .1  with  a  vast  number  of  other 
persons,  from  different  parts  ol  the 
country,  going  to  sign  the  Covenant, 
and,  on  a  cart,  worthy  Ebenezer  Muir 
and  three  other  aged  men  like  him- 
self, who,  being  all  of  our  parish,  it 
was  agreed  that  they  should  alight 
and  walk  to  the  kirk  at  the  head  of 
tliose  who  had  come  with  my  father. 
While  this  was  putting  in  order,  other 
men  and  lads  belonging  to  the  parish 
came  and  joined  tis,  so  that,  to  the 
number  of  more  than  a  hundred,  wo 
went  up  the  town  together, 

"When  we  arrive  1  at  the  tolbooth, 
we  were  obligated,  with  others,  to 
halt  for  some  time,  by  reason  of  the 
great  crowd  at  the  Kirkgatefoot 
waiting  to  see  if  the  magistrates,  who 
were  then  sitting  in  council,  would 
come  forth  and  go  to  the  kirk ;  and 
the  different  crafts  and  burgesses, 
with  their  deacons,  were  standing  at 
the  Cross  in  order  to  follow  them,  if 
they  determined,  in  their  public 
capacity,  to  sign  the  Covenant,  ac- 
cording to  the  pious  example  which 
had  been  set  to  all  in  authority  by  the 
magistratt'S  and  town-council  of 
]''dinbr.rgh  three  days  before.  "We 
had  not,  liowever,  occasion  to  be  long 
detained ;  for  it  was  resolved,  with 
a  unanimous  heart,  that  the  provost 
should  sign  in  the  name  of  the  town, 


108 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


and  that  tho  bailies  and  councillors 
should,  in  their  own  names,  sign  each 
for  himself;  so  they  came  out,  with 
the  town-officers  bearing  their  battle- 
axes  before  them,  and  tho  crafts,  ac- 
cording to  their  privilege,  followed 
them  to  the  kirk. 

The  men  of  our  parish  went  next ; 
but  on  reacliing  the  kirk-yard  yett, 
it  was  manifest  that,  large  as  the 
ancient  fabric  was,  it  would  not  be 
able  to  receive  a  moitd  of  the  persons 
assembled.  Godly  Mr  David  Dickson, 
the  minister,  had,  however,  provided 
for  this ;  and  on  one  of  the  old  tombs 
on  the  south  side  of  the  kirk,  he  had 
ordered  a  table  and  chair  to  be  placed, 
where  that  effectual  preacher,  Mr 
Livingstone,  delivored  a  great  ser- 
mon,—  around  him  the  multitude 
from  the  country  parishes  wore  con- 
gregated; but  my  fatlier  being  well 
acquainted  with  Deacon  Aiild  of  the 
Wrights,  was  invited  by  him  to  come 
into  his  seat  in  the  kirk,  where  he 
carried  me  in  witli  him,  and  we  heard 
Air  Dickson  himself. 

Of  the  strain  and  substance  of  his 
discourse  I  remember  nothing,  save 
only  the  earnestness  of  his  manner; 
but  well  do  I  remember  tho  awful 
sough  and  silence  that  was  in  the 
kiik  when,  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
sermon,  he  prepared  to  road  the  words 
of  the  Covenivnt. 

"Now,"  said  he,  when  he  had 
come  to  the  end,  and  was  rolling  it 
up,  "as  no  man  knoweth  low  long, 
after  this  day,  he  may  be  aUowed  to 
partake  of  the  sacrament  of  the 
Supper,  the  ciders  Avill  bring  forward 
the  elements :  an  I  it  is  hoped  that 
sisters  in  Christ  will  not  come  to  com- 
munion till  the  brethren  are  served, 
who.  as  they  take  their  seats  at  the 
Lord's  table,  are  invited  to  sign  their 
names  to  this  solenni  cliarter  of  the 
religious  rights  and  liberties  of  God's 
people  in  Scotland." 

Uo  then   camo  down   from   the 


pulpit  with  tho  parchment  in  his 
hand,  and  going  to  the  head  of  the 
sacramental  table,  he  opened  it  again, 
and  laid  it  down  over  the  elements  of 
tho  bread  and  wine  which  the  elders 
had  just  placed  there  ;  and  a  minister, 
whose  name  I  do  not  well  recollect, 
sitting  at  his  right  hand,  holding  aa 
inkstand,  p/esented  him  witii  a  pen, 
which,  when  he  had  taken,  he  prayed 
in  silence  for  the  space  of  a  minute, 
and  then,  bending  forward,  Jie  signed 
his  name  ;  having  done  so,  he  raised 
himself  erect  and  said,  with  a  loud 
voice,  holding  up  his  right  hand, 
"  Before  God  and  these  witnesses,  in 
truth  and  holiness,  I  have  sworn  to 
keep  this  Covenant."  At  that  moment 
a  solemn  sound  rose  from  all  the  con- 
gregation, and  every  one  stood  up  to 
see  the  men,  as  they  sat  at  the  table, 
put  down  their  names. 

From  the  day  on  which  the  Cove- 
nant was  signed,  though  I  was  owre 
young  to  remember  the  change  my- 
self, I  have  heard  it  often  said,  that  a 
great  n  Iteration  took  place  in  the 
morals  and  manners  of  the  Cove- 
nanters. The  Sabbath  was  observed 
by  them  with  far  more  than  the 
solemnity  of  times  past;  and  there 
was  a  strictness  of  walk  and  conversa- 
tion among  them,  which  showed  how 
much  in  sincerity  they  were  indeed 
regenerated  Christians.  The  company 
of  persons  inclined  to  the  prelatic  sect 
was  eschewed  as  contagious,  and  all 
light  pastimes  and  gaiety  of  heart 
were  suppressed,  both  on  account  of 
their  tendency  to  sinfulness,  and 
because  of  the  danger  with  which  the 
Truth  and  the  Word  were  threatened 
by  the  Armician  Antichrist  of  the 
King's  Government. 

But  the  more  immediate  effect  of 
the  renewal  of  tho  Solemn  League 
and  Covenant  was  the  preparation 
for  defence  and  resistance,  which  the 
deceitful  policy  of  that  false  monarch, 
King  Charles  the  First,  taught  every 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


105) 


one  to  know  would  be  required.  Tlio 
nien  began  to  practise  firing  at  butts 
and  targets,  and  to  provide  tliemselves 
witii  arms  and  munitions  of  war ;  while, 
in  order  to  maintain  a  life  void  of 
offence  in  all  temporal  concerns,  they 
were  by  ordinaire  obedient  and  sub- 
missive to  those  in  authority  over 
them,  whether  holding  jurisdiction 
from  the  King,  or  in  virtue  of  baronies 
and  feudalities. 

In  this  there  was  great  wisdom ; 
for  it  left  the  sin  of  the  provocation 
still  on  the  heads  of  the  King  and  his 
evil  counsellors,  in  so  much  that  even, 
when  the  General  Assembly,  holden 
at  Glasgow,  vindicated  the  indepen- 
dence and  freedom  of  Christ's  king- 
dom, by  continuing  to  sit  in  despite 
of  the  dissolution  pronounced  by  Kivig 
Charles'  commissioner,  the  Marquis 
Hamilton,  and  likewise  by  decreeing 
the  abolition  of  prelacy  as  an  abomi- 
nation, there  was  no  political  blame 
wherewith  the  people,  in  their  capacity 
of  subjects  to  their  earthly  prince, 
could  be  wyted  or  brought  by  law  to 
punishment. 

In  the  meantime,  the  King,  wlio 
was  as  fey  as  he  was  false,  mustered 
his  forces,  and  his  rampant  high-priest, 
Laud,  was,  with  all  the  voices  of  his 
prelatic  emissaries,  inflaming  the 
honest  people  of  England  to  wage  war 
against  our  religious  frjodom.  The 
I  ,.^  .tical  Queen  of  Charles  was  no 
less  busy  with  the  priesthood  of  her 
crafty  sect,  and  aids  and  powers,  both 
of  men  and  money,  were  raised  where- 
ever  they  could  be  had,  in  order  to 
reinstall  the  discarded  episcopacy  of 
Scotland. 

The  Covenanters,  however,  were 
none  daunte<l,  for  they  had  a  great 
ally  in  the  Lord  of  hosts ;  and,  with 
Him  for  their  captain,  they  neither 
sought  nor  wished  for  any  alien  assist- 
ance, though  they  sent  letters  to  their 
brethren  in  foreign  parts,  exhorting 
them  to  unite  ia  the  Covenant,  and  to 


join  them  for  the  battle.  General 
Lesley,  in  Gustavus  Adolphus'  army, 
was  invited  by  his  kinsman,  the  Lord 
Rothes,  to  come  home,  that,  if  need 
arose,  he  might  take  the  temporal 
command  of  the  Covenanters. 

The  King  having  at  last,  according 
to  an  ancient  jiractice  of  the  English 
monarchs,  when  war  in  old  times  was 
proclaimed  against  the  Scots,  sum- 
moned his  nobles  to  attend  him  with 
their  powers  at  York,  the  Covenanters 
girded  their  loins,  and  tlie  whole 
country  rung  with  the  din  of  the 
gathering  of  an  host  for  the  field. 

One  Captain  Bannerman,  who  had 
been  with  Lesley  in  the  armies  of 
Gustavus,  was  sent  from  Edinburgh 
to  trtiin  the  men  in  our  part ;  and  our 
house  being  central  for  the  musters 
of  the  three  adjacent  parishes,  ho 
staid  a  night  in  the  week  witli  us  at 
Quharist  for  tlie  space  -^f  better 
than  two  months,  and  his  military 
discourse  greatly  instructed  our  neigii- 
bours  in  the  arts  and  stratagems  of 
war. 

He  was  an  elderly  man,  of  a  sedato 
character,  and  had  gone  abroad  with 
an  uncle  from  ^lontrose  when  he  was 
quite  a  youth.  In  his  day  he  had 
seen  many  strange  cities,  and  places 
of  wonderful  strengtii  to  witlistand 
the  force  of  sieges.  liui.,  though  bred 
a  soldier,  and  his  homo  in  the  camp, 
ho  had  been  himself  but  seldom  in 
the  field  of  battle.  In  appearance  he 
was  tall  and  lofty,  and  very  erect  and 
formal ;  a  man  of  few  words,  but  they 
were  well  cliosen  ;  and  he  was  patient 
and  pains-taking;  of  a  contented 
aspect,  somewhat  hard-favoured,  and 
seldom  given  to  smile.  To  little  chil- 
dren he  was,  however,  bland  and  cour- 
teous; taking  a  pleasure  ia  setting 
those  that  were  of  my  age  in  battle 
array,  for  he  had  no  pastime,  being 
altogether  an  instructive  soldier  ;  or, 
p.a  William,  my  third  brother,  used  to 
1  Bay,  who  was  a  free  out-spokcu  lad, 


110 


RINGAN  GILHAl/E. 


Captain     Bannerman    was    a     real 
dominie  o'  war. 

Besides  liiin,  in  onr  conntry-Bido, 
there  was  another  oliieer,  by  name 
Hepburn,  who  had  also  been  bred 
Avith  the  great  Gustavus,  sent  to  train 
the  Covenanters  in  Irvine ;  but  he 
wi'H  of  a  more  mettlesome  Imniour, 
and  hicked  the  needful  douceness  that 
became -those  who  were  banding  them- 
selves for  a  holy  cause  ;  nevertheless, 
he  was  much  beloved  by  the  men  ho 
had  the  training  of  ;  and,  on  the  night 
before  he  left  the  town,  lies  were  told 
of  a  most  respectit  and  pious  oliieer 
of  the  town's  power,  if  he  did  not  find 
the  causey  owre  wide  when  he  was 
going  home,  after  partaking  of  Cap- 
tain Hepburn's  pay-way  supper.  But 
how  that  may  have  been  is  little  of 
my  business  at  present  to  investigate ; 
for  I  have  only  spoken  of  Hepburn, 
to  notify  what  happened  in  conse- 
quence of  a  brag  he  iiad  with  Baimer- 
mun,  anent  the  skill  of  tlieir  respec- 
tive disciples,  the  which  grew  to  such 
a  controversy  between  them,  that  no- 
thing lees  would  satisfy  Hepburn  than 
to  try  the  skill  of  the  Irvine  men 
against  ours,  and  the  two  neighbour- 
ing pari.'jhcB  of  Garnock  and  Stoney- 
holm.  Accordingly  a  day  was  fixed  for 
that  purpose,  and  the  Craiglands-croft 
was  the  place  appointed  for  this  pro- 
bation of  soldiership. 

On  the  morning  of  the  appointed 
day  the  country  folk  assembled  far 
and  near,  and  Nahum  Chapelrig,  at 
the  head  of  the  lads  of  his  clachan, 
was  the  first  on  the  field.  The  sight 
to  my  young  eyes  was  as  the  greatest 
show  of  pageantry  tliat  could  be 
imagined  ;  for  Nahum  had,  from  the 
time  of  the  covenanting,  been  gather- 
ing arms  and  armour  from  all  quar- 
ters, and  had  thereby  not  cMy  ob- 
tained a  glittering  breastplate  for  hini- 
ficlf.  but  tiiree  otiier  coats  of  mail  for 
tlio  like  number  of  his  fellows ;  and 
when  they  were   coining    over   the 


croft,  with  their  fife  and  drum,  and 
the  banner  of  the  Covenant  waving 
aloft  in  the  air,  every  ou<:  ran  to  be- 
hold such  splendour  and  pomp  of 
war ;  many  of  the  women,  that  were 
witnesses  among  the  multitude,  wept 
at  such  an  apparition  of  battles  daz- 
zling our  peaceful  fields. 

My  father,  with  nij  five  brothers, 
headed  tlie  Covenanters  of  our  parish. 
There  was  no  garnish  among  that 
band.  They  came  along  with  austere 
looks  and  douce  steps,  and  their  belts 
were  of  tanned  leather.  The  hilts  of 
many  of  their  swords  were  rusty,  for 
they  had  been  the  weapons  of  their 
forefathers  in  the  raids  of  the  Refor- 
mation. As  my  father  led  them  to 
their  station  on  the  right  flank  of 
Nahum  Chapelrig's  array,  the  crowd 
of  onlookers  fell  back,  and  stood  in 
silence  as  they  ])as8ed  by. 

IScarcely  had  tiiey  halted,  when 
there  was  a  raahing  among  the  on- 
lookers, and  presently  the  townsmen, 
with  Hepburn  on  horseback,  were 
seen  coming  over  the  brow  of  the 
Gowan-brae.  They  were  scant  the 
strength  of  the  country  folk  by  more 
than  a  score,  but  there  was  a  band  of 
sailor  boys  with  them  that  made  the 
number  greater;  so  that,  when  they 
were  all  drawn  up  together  forenent 
the  countrymen,  they  were  more  than 
man  for  man. 

It  is  not  to  1,3  suppressed  nor 
denied,  that,  in  the  first  show  of  the 
day,  Hepburn  got  far  more  credit  and 
honour  than  old  sedate  Jiaunerman  ; 
for  his  lads  were  lighter  in  the  heel, 
glegger  in  the  eye,  and  brisker  in  the 
nianreuvres  of  war :  moreover,  they 
were  all  far  more  similar  in  their  garb 
and  ajifjc.i ranee,  which  gave  them  a 
seeming  compactness  that  the  country- 
men had  nothing  like.  But  when  the 
simm  contest  began,  it  was  not  long 
till  Bannerman's  disciples  showed  the 
proofs  of  their  master's  better  skill 
to  such  a  mark,  that  Hepburn  grew 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


Ill 


hot,  and  so  kindled  his  men  by  re- 
])roaclic'S,  that  there  was  liko  to  have 
been  figliting  in  true  earnest;  for 
tlie  blood  of  tlio  country  folk  was 
also  rising.  Their  eyes  grew  fierce, 
and  they  muttered  through  their 
tcetli. 

Old  Ebcnezer  Muir,  who  was  among 
the  multitude,  observing  that  their 
blood  was  heating,  stepped  forward, 
and  lifting  up  his  hand,  cried,  "Sirs, 
stop ;  "  and  both  sides  iustanter  made 
a  pause.  "This  maunna  be,"  said 
he.  "  It  may  bo  sport  to  those  who 
arc  by  trade  soldiers  to  try  the  mettle 
o'  their  men,  but  ye'ro  a  covenanted 
people,  obligated  by  a  grievous 
tyranny  to  quit  your  spades  and  your 
looms  only  for  a  season  ;  therefore  be 
counselled,  and  rush  not  to  battle  till 
need  be,  which  may  the  Lord  yet 
prevent." 

Hepburn  uttered  an  angry  bnn, 
and  would  have  turned  the  old  man 
away  by  the  shoulder ;  but  the  comba- 
tants saw  they  were  in  the  peril  of  a 
quarrel,  and  many  of  them  cried  aloud, 
"He's  in  the  right,  and  we're  playing 
the  fool  for  the  diversion  o'  our  adver- 
saries." So  the  townsmen  and  the 
country  folk  shook  hands ;  but  instead 
of  renewing  the  contest.  Captain  Ban- 
nerman  proposed  that  they  should  all 
go  througli  their  discipline  together, 
it  being  manifest  tliat  there  were  little 
odds  in  their  skill,  and  none  in  their 
courajic.  The  which  prudent  admoni- 
tion pacified  all  parties,  and  tlie  re- 
mainder of  the  day  was  spent  in  cor- 
diality and  brotherly  love.  Towards 
tlie  conclusion  of  the  exercises,  worthy 
I\Ir  Swinton  camo  on  the  field ;  and 
wiien  the  business  of  the  day  was  over, 
he  ste[)ped  forward,  and  the  trained 
men  being  formed  around  hun,  tiie 
onlookers  standing  on  the  outside,  he 
exliorted  them  in  prayer,  and  implored 
a  blessing  on  their  covenanted  union, 
which  had  the  effect  of  restoring  all 
their  hearts  to  a  religious  frouie  f^ud  a, 


solemnity  befitting  the  spirituality  of 
their  cause. 

One  night,  about  a  month  after  the 
ploy  whereof  I  have  spoken  in  tlic 
foregoing  chapter,  just  os  my  father 
had  finished  the  worship,  and  the 
family  wore  composing  tlieniKelvos 
round  the  fireside  tor  supper,  Ave  were 
startled  by  the  sound  of  a  galloping 
horse  coming  to  the  door ;  and  before 
any  one  had  time  to  open  it,  there  was 
a  dreadful  knocking  with  the  heft  of 
the  rider's  whip.  It  was  Nalium 
Chapelrig,  who  being  that  day  ;it 
Kilmarnock,  had  heard,  as  be  was 
leaving  the  town,  the  cry  get  up  there 
tliat  the  Aggressor  was  coming  from 
York  with  all  the  Y  i,disli  power,  and 
he  had  flown  far  and  wide  on  his  way 
home  publishing  the  dismal  tidings. 

My  father,  in  a  sober  manner,  bade 
him  alight  and  partake  of  our  supper, 
q""stioniiig  him  sedately  aiiont  wliat 
he  liad  heard  ;  but  Nahum  was  raised, 
and  could  give  no  patisfaciiou  in  his 
answers ;  he,  however,  leapt  from  his 
horse,  and  drawing  the  bridle  through 
the  ring  at  tlie  door- cheek,  came  ben 
to  the  fire  where  we  had  all  so  shortly 
before  been  harmoniously  sitting.  His 
eyes  were  wide  and  wild  ;  his  hair, 
with  the  heat  he  was  in,  was  as  if  it 
had  been  pomated ;  his  che?ks  were 
white,  his  lips  rod,  and  he  panted  with 
haste  and  panic. 

"They're  coming,"  he  cried,  "in 
thousands  o'  thousands ;  ne'er  sic  a 
force  has  crossed  tiie  border  since  the 
day  o'  Flodden  Fiehl.  We'll  a'  either 
bo  put  to  the  sword,  man,  woman, 
and  child,  or  sent  in  slavery  to  the 
plantations." 

"  ]SJo,"  replied  my  father,  "  tilings 
arc  no  just  come  to  that  pass ;  we 
have  our  swords  yet,  and  hearts  and 
hands  to  use  them." 

The  consternation,  however,  of 
Nahum  Cliapeliig  that  nigiit  was  far 
ayont  all  counsel ;  so,  after  trying  to 
Bootho  and  r^osQA  hii;i  iptQ  a  nior^ 


112 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


temperate  frame,  my  father  was  obli- 
gated to  tell  him  tliat,  since  the  battle 
was  coming  so  near  our  gates,  it  be- 
hoved the  Covenanters  to  be  in  readi- 
ness for  the  field,  advising  Niihum  to 
go  lionie,  and  be  over  with  him  be- 
times in  the  morn'.ng. 

While  they  yveve  thus '  speaking, 
James  Newbigging  also  came  to  the 
door  with  a  rumour  of  the  same  sub- 
stance, which  his  Avifo  had  brought 
from  Eglinton  Castle,  where  she  had 
been  with  certain  cocks  and  hens,  a 
servitude  of  the  Ej^lintons  on  their 
mailing ;  so  that  there  was  no  longer 
any  dubiety  about  the  news,  though 
matters  were  not  in  such  a  desperate 
condition  as  Nahura  Chapelrig  had 
terriiied  himself  with  the  thought  of. 
Nevertheless,  the  tidings  were  very 
dreadful ;  and  it  was  a  judgment-like 
thing  to  hear  that  an  anointed  king 
was  so  far  left  to  himself  as  to  be 
coming  with  wrath,  and  banners,  and 
trampling  war-horses,  to  destroy  his 
subjects  for  tlie  sincerity  of  tlieir  re- 
ligious allegiance  to  that  Almighty 
Monarch,  who  has  but  permitted  the 
princes  of  the  earth  to  be  set  up  as 
idols  by  the  hands  of  men. 

James  Newbigging,  as  well  as 
Nahum,  having  come  ben  to  the  fire- 
side, my  father  called  for  the  Books 
again,  and  g<ave  out  the  eight  first 
verses  of  the  forty-fourth  Psalm, 
which  we  all  sung  with  hearts  in  holy 
unison  and  zealous  voices. 

"When  James  Newbigging  and 
Nahum  Chapelrig  were  gone  away 
home,  my  father  sat  for  some  time 
exhorting  us,  who  were  his  youngest 
children,  to  be  kind  to  one  unotlier, 
to  cherifih  our  motlier,  and  not  to  let 
aulJ  doited  aunty  want,  if  it  wj  j  the 
Lord's  will  that  he  should  never  come 
back  from  the  battle.  The  which  to 
hear  caused  much  sorrow  and  lamenta- 
tion, especially  from  my  mother,  who, 
however,  said  nothing,  but  took  hold 
of  Ms  hand  and  watered  it  with  her 


tears.  After  this  ho  walked  out  into 
the  fields,  where  ho  remained  some 
time  alone ;  and  during  his  absence, 
me  and  the  three  who  were  next  to 
mo  were  sent  to  our  beds ;  but,  young 
as  we  then  were,  we  were  old  enough 
to  know  the  danger  that  hung  over  us, 
and  we  lay  long  awake,  wondering 
and  woful  with  fear. 

About  two  hours  after  midnight 
the  house  was  Jigain  startled  by  an- 
other knocking,  and  on  my  father  in- 
quiring who  was  at  the  door,  he  waa 
answered  by  my  brother  Jacob,  who 
had  come  with  IMichael  and  llobia 
from  Glasgow  to  Kilmarnock,  on  hear- 
ing the  news,  and  had  thence  brought 
William  and  Alexander  with  them  to 
go  with  their  father  to  the  war.  For 
they  had  returned  to  their  respec- 
tive trades  after  the  day  of  the  cove- 
nanting, and  had  only  been  out 
at  Hepburn's  raid,  as  the  ploy 
with  the  Irvine  men  was  called  in 
jocularity,  in  order  that  the  neigh- 
bours, who  venerated  my  grand- 
father, might  see  them  together  as 
Covenanters. 

Thearrival  of  her  sons,  and  the  pur- 
pose they  had  come  upon,  awakened 
afresh  the  grief  of  our  motiier ;  but 
my  father  entreated  us  all  to  be  quiet, 
and  to  compose  ourselves  to  rest,  that 
we  might  be  the  abler  on  the  morn  to 
prepare  for  what  iniglit  then  ensue. 
Yet,  though  there  was  no  sound  in 
the  house,  save  only  our  motlicr's 
moaning,  few  closed  their  eyes,  and 
long  before  the  sun  every  one  was  up 
and  stirring,  and  my  fatlier  and  my 
five  brothers  were  armed  and  belted 
for  the  march. 

Scarcely  wore  thoy  r(;u<ly,  when 
different  neighbours  in  tlie  like  trim 
came  to  go  witli  them.  Presently, 
also,  Nahum  Chapelrig,  with  his  ban- 
ner, and  fife,  and  drum,  at  the  head 
of  some  ten  or  twelve  lads  of  his 
clachan,  came  over,  and  on  this  oc- 
casion  no    obstacle  was    mado    to 


and 

bitte 

his 

Swin 

and 

drun 

and 

turn 

the 

theh 


EINGAN  GTLHATZE. 


113 


that  bravery  which  was  thought  so 
uncomely  on  the  day  of  the  cove- 
nanting. 

While  the  armed  men  were  thus 
gatlicring  before  our  door,  witli  the 
intent  of  setting  forward  to  (ilasgow, 
as  the  men  of  tlie  West  had  been  some 
time  before  trysted  to  do,  by  orders 
from  General  Lesley,  on  the  first 
alarm,  that  godly  man  and  minister 
of  righteousness,  the  Reverend  Mr 
Swinton,  made  his  appearance  with  his 
staff  in  his  hand  and  a  satchel  on  his 
back,  in  which  he  carried  the  Bible. 

"  I  am  come,  my  frien's,"  said  he, 
"to  go  with  you.  Where  the  en- 
signs of  Christ's  Covenant  are  dis- 
played, it  is  meet  that  the  very  lowest 
of  his  vassivls  should  be  there  ;  "  and 
having  exhorted  the  weeping  women 
around  him  to  be  of  good  cheer,  he 
prayed  for  them  and  for  tiieir  little 
children,  whom  the  Ag!:fressor  was, 
perhaps,  soon  to  make  fatherless. 
Nahiim  Chnpelrig  then  exalted  his 
banner,  and  the  drum  and  fife  be- 
ginning to  play,  the  venerable  man 
stepped  forward,  and  heading  the 
array  with  his  staff  in  his  hand,  they 
departed  amidst  tiie  shouts  of  the 
boys,  and  the  loud  sorrow  of  many  a 
wife  and  mother. 

I  followed  them,  with  my  com- 
panions, till  they  reached  the  high 
road,  where,  at  the  turn  that  led  them 
to  Glasgow,  a  great  concourse  of  other 
women  and  children  belonging  to  tiie 
neighbouring  parishes  were  assembled, 
having  tiiere  parted  from  their  friends. 
They  were  all  mourning  and  weeping, 
and  mingling  their  lamentations  with 
bitter  predictions  against  the  King  and 
liis  evil  counsellors ;  but  seeing  Mr 
Swinton  they  became  more  composed, 
and  he  having  made  a  sign  to  the 
drum  and  fife  to  cease,  he  stopped, 
and  earnestly  entreated  them  to  re- 
turn home  and  employ  themselves  in 
the  concerns  of  their  familiea,  which, 
the  heads  being  for  a  season  removed, 


stood  the  more  in  need  of  all  their 
kindness  and  care. 

This  halt  in  the  march  of  their 
friends  brought  the  onlookers,  who 
were  assembled  round  our  house, 
running  to  see  what  was  the  cause, 
and,  among  others,  it  gave  time  to  the 
aged  Ebenezer  Muir  to  come  up, 
whdhi  Mr  Swinton  no  sooner  saw 
than  he  called  on  him  by  name,  and 
bade  him  comfort  the  women,  and  in- 
vite them  away  from  the  high  road, 
where  their  presence  could  only  in- 
crease the  natural  grief  that  every 
covenanted  Christian,  in  passing  to 
join  the  army,  could  not  but  suffer, 
on  seeing  so  many  left  defenceless  by 
the  unprovoked  anger  of  the  Aggres- 
sor. He  then  bade  the  drum  again 
beat,  and,  the  marf  .  being  resumed, 
the  band  of  our  parish  soon  went  out 
of  sight. 

While  our  men  continued  in  view 
Ebenezer  Muir  said  nothing ;  but  as 
soon  as  they  had  disappeared  behind 
the  brow  of  the  Gowan-brae,  he  spoke 
to  the  multitude  in  a  gentle  and  pa- 
ternal manner,  and  bade  them  como 
with  him  into  the  neighbouring  field, 
and  join  him  in  prayer ;  after  which 
he  hoped  they  would  see  the  wisdom 
of  returning  to  their  homes.  They 
accordingly  followed  him,  and  he  hav- 
ing given  out  the  twenty-third  Psalm, 
all  present  joined  him,  till  the  lonely 
fields  and  silent  woods  echoed  to  tho 
melody  of  their  pious  song. 

As  we  wer«  thus  standing  around 
the  old  man  in  worship  and  unison  of 
spirit,  the  Irvine  men  came  along  the 
road ;  and  seeing  us,  they  hushed 
their  drums  as  t'  jy  passed  by,  and 
bowed  down  their  banners  in  reve- 
rence and  solemnity.  Such  was  the 
outset  of  the  worthies  of  the  renewed 
Covenant,  in  the  war  with  the  first 
Charles. 


114 


RINGAN  GILHATZE, 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Afteu  my  father  and  brothers, 
with  our  iicicfhboura  that  went  witli 
them,  had  returned  from  the  blood- 
less raid  of  Dunso  Law,  as  tiio  fust 
expedition  was  called,  a  solemn 
thanksgiving  was  held  in  all  the 
country-side  ;  but  the  minds  of  jnen 
were  none  pacified  by  the  treaty  con- 
cluded with  the  Kiupf  at  JJerwick. 
For  it  was  manifest  to  the  worhl,  that 
coming  in  his  ire,  and  with  all  the 
might  of  hia  power,  to  punisli  the 
Covenanters  as  rebels,  he  would  never 
have  consented  to  treat  with  them  on 
nuythiug  like  equal  terms,  had  he  not 
been  daunted  by  their  strength  and 
numbers  ;  so  that  the  spirit  awakened 
by  his  Ahab-likc  domination  con- 
tinued as  alive  and  as  distrustful  of 
his  word  and  {tactions  as  ever. 

After  the  rumours  of  iiis  plain  jug- 
gling about  the  verbals  of  the  stipu- 
lated conditions,  and  his  arbitrary 
prorogation  of  the  parliament  at 
Edinburgh,  a  thing  wliich  the  best 
and  bravest  of  the  Scottish  monarchs 
liad  never  before  dared  to  do  without 
the  consent  of  the  States  then  assem- 
bled, the  thud  and  murmur  of  warlike 
preparation  was  renewed  both  on 
anvil  and  in  hall.  And  when  it  wivs 
known  that  the  King,  fey  and  dis- 
t.(;mpered  with  his  own  weak  conceits 
and  the  instigations  of  cruel  counsel- 
lors, had,  as  soon  as  lie  heard  that 
the  Covenanters  were  disbanded,  re- 
newed his  purposes  of  punishment  and 
oppression,  a  gurl  of  rage,  like  the 
first  brush  of  the  tempest  on  the 
waves,  passed  over  the  whole  extent 
of  Scotland,  and  those  that  had  been 
in  arms  fiercely  girded  themselves 
again  for  batth\ 

As  the  king's  powers  came  again 
towards  the  borders,  the  Covenanters, 
for  the  second  time,  mustered  under 
Lesley  at  Dunse ;  but  far  different 
was  this  new  departure  of  our  men 


from  the  solemnity  of  their  first  cx- 

t)edition.  Their  spirits  were  now 
larsh  and  angry,  and  their  drums 
sounded  hoarsely  on  the  breeze. 
Godly  ^Ir  Swinton,  as  he  headed 
them  again,  struck  the  grviUnd  with 
his  stair,  and,  instead  of  praying  said, 
"It  is  the  Lord's  pleasure,  and  ho 
wid  make  the  Aggressor  iin'  the 
weight  of  the  arm  of  fiesli.  Honest 
folk  arc  no  ever  to  be  thus  obligated 
to  leave  their  fields  and  families  by 
the  provocations  of  a  prerogative  that 
has  so  little  regard  for  the  people.  la 
the  nanje  and  strength  of  God,  let  us 
march." 

With  six  and  twenty  thousand 
horse  aini  foot  Lesley  crossed  the 
'J'weed,  and  in  the  first  onset  tho 
King's  army  was  scattered  like  chaff 
before  the  wind.  When  the  news  of 
the  victory  arrived  {iniong  ns,  every 
one  was  filled  with  awe  and  holy 
wonder  ;  for  it  happened  on  the  very 
day  which  was  held  as  n  universal 
fast  throughout  the  land;  on  tiiat 
day  likewise,  even  in  the  time  of  wor- 
ship, the  castle  of  Dumbarton  was 
won,  and  the  covenanted  Earl  of  Had- 
dington repelled  a  wasteful  irruption 
from  the  garrison  of  Berwick. 

Such  disasters  smote  the  King  with 
consternation ;  for  the  immediate  fruit 
of  tho  victory  was  the  conquest  of 
Newcastle,  Tyne-mouth,  Shields,  and 
Durham. 

Baffled  and  mortified,  humbled 
but  not  penitent,  the  rash  and  vindic- 
tive Monarch,  in  a  whirlwind  of  mu- 
tiny and  desertion,  was  obligated  to 
retreat  to  York,  where  he  was  con- 
strained, by  the  few  sound  and  sober- 
minded  that  yet  hovered  around  him, 
to  try  the  effect  of  another  negotiation 
with  his  insulted  and  indignant  sub- 
jects. But  as  all  the  things  which 
hence  ensued  are  mingled  with  tho 
acts  of  perfidy  and  aggression  by 
which,  under  the  disastrous  infiuenco 
of  the  fortunes  of  his  doomed  an4 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


115 


guilty  race,  ho  drew  down  the  ven- 
gcuiico  of  his  Englisli  subjects,  it 
Avould  lend  mo  far  from  this  house- 
hold memorial  to  enter  more  ;iL  larf,'o 
on  circuni.stiuices  so  notour,  tiiouj;h 
they  have  been  strangely  palliated  by 
the  supple  spirit  of  latter  times,  es- 
pecially by  the  sordid  courtliness  of 
the  crafty  Clarendon.  I  shall  there- 
fore! skip  the  main  passages  of  public 
affairs,  and  hasten  forward  to  the  time 
•when  I  became  myself  enlisted  on  the 
side  of  our  national  liberties,  briefly, 
however,  noticing,  as  1  proceed,  that 
after  the  peace  which  was  concluded 
at  Kipon  my  father  and  my  live 
brothers  came  home.  None  of  them 
received  any  hurt  in  battle  ;  but  in 
the  course  of  the  winter  the  old  man 
was  visited  with  a  great  income  of 
j)ain8  find  aches,  in  so  much  that,  for 
the  remainder  of  his  days,  he  was  little 
able  to  endure  fatigue  or  hardship  of 
any  kind  ;  my  second  brotlusr,  Hobin, 
was  therefore  called  from  his  trade  in 
Glasgow  to  look  after  the  mailing,  for 
I  was  still  owre  young  to  bo  of  any 
effectual  service ;  Alexander  continued 
a  bonnet-maker  at  Kilmarnock  ;  but 
Michael,  AVilliam,  and  Jacob,  joined 
and  fought  with  the  forces  that  won 
tho  mournful  triumph  of  Marstou- 
moor,  where  fifty  thousand  subjects 
of  the  same  King  and  laws  contended 
with  one  another,  and  where  the  Lord, 
by  showing  himself  on  the  side  of  the 
people,  gave  a  dreadful  admonition  to 
the  Government  to  recant  and  con- 
ciliate while  there  was  yet  time. 

Meanwhile  the  worthy  Mr  Swinton, 
having  observed  in  me  a  curiosity 
towards  books  of  history  and  piety, 
had  taken  great  pains  to  instruct  me 
in  the  rights  and  truths  of  relMon, 
and  to  make  it  manifest  alike  to  the 
civca  and  eyes  of  my  understanding, 
that  no  human  .luthority  could,  or 
ought  to,  dictate  in  matters  of  faith, 
beeaiiso  it  could  not  discern  tho 
eecreta  pf  the  brejist,  i^either  know 


what  was  acceptable  to  Heaven  in 
conduct  or  in  worship.  lie  likewise 
expounded  to  me  in  what  manner  tho 
Covenant  was  not  a  temporal  but  a 
spiritual  league,  trenching  in  no  re- 
spect upon  the  ujitural  and  contributed 
autiiority  of  the  kingly  office.  But, 
owing  to  the  infirm  state  of  my  father's 
health,  neither  my  brother  Kobin  nor 
I  could  bo  fipared  from  the  farm,  in 
any  of  the  different  raids  that  ger- 
minated out  of  the  King's  controversy 
with  the  English  parliament ;  so  that 
in  the  whigamoro  expedition,  as  it 
was  profanely  nicknamed,  from  our 
shire,  with  the  covenanted  Earls  of 
Cassilis  and  Eglinton,  wo  had  no 
personality,  though  our  hearts  went 
with  those  that  were  therein. 

\^'hen,  however,  the  hideous  tid- 
ings came  of  the  condenination  and 
execution  of  the  King,  there  M'as  a 
stop  in  the  current  of  men's  minds, 
and  as  the  waters  of  Jordan  when  tho 
ark  was  carried  in,  rushed  back  to 
their  fountain-head,  every  true  Scot 
on  that  occasion  felt  in  his  heart  the 
ancient  affections  of  his  nature  re- 
turning with  a  compassionate  horror. 
Yet  even  in  this  they  were  true  to  the 
Covenant ;  for  it  was  not  to  be  hidden 
that  the  English  Parliament,  in  doing 
what  it  did  in  that  tragical  event,  Avas 
guided  by  a  speculative  spirit  of  po- 
litical innovation  and  change,  different 
and  distinct,  both  in  principle  and 
object,  from  the  cause  which  made 
our  Scottish   Covenanters    have   re- 
course to  arms.    In  truth,  the  act  of 
bringing    kings    to    public    condign 
punishment  was  no  such  new  thing 
in  the  chronicles  of  Scotland,  as  that 
brave    historian,   George   Buchanan, 
plainly  shows,  to  have  fdlcd  us  with 
sucii  amazement  and  affright,  had  the 
offences  of  King  Charles  been  proven 
as  clearly  personal,  as  the  crimes  for 
which  the  ancient  tyrants  of  his  pedi- 
gree   suffered  the    death  : — but    hia 
offences  were  shared  with  hia  coun- 


116 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


lii 


sellors,  whose  duty  it  was  to  have 
bridled  his  arbitrary  pretensions,  lie 
was  in  consequence  mourned  as  a 
victim,  and  liis  son,  the  second 
Cli.'irlc'S,  at  onco  proclaimed  and 
acknowledged  King  of  Scotland. 
How  ho  deported  himself  in  that 
capacity,  and  what  gratitude  ho  and 
his  brother  showed  the  land  for  its 
faith  and  loyalty  in  tho  wreck  and 
desperation  of  their  royal  fortunes, 
with  a  firm  and  a  fearless  pea  I  now 
purpose  to  show.  But  as  tho  tale  of 
their  persecutions  is  ravelled  with  tho 
sorrows  and  tho  suiferings  of  my 
friends  and  neighbours,  and  the  darker 
tissue  of  my  own  woes,  it  is  needful, 
before  proceeding  therein,  that  I 
should  entreat  the  indulgence  of  tlie 
courteous  reader  to  allow  a  few  short 

t)assages  of  my  private  life  now  to  be 
lerc  recorded. 

Some  time  before  the  news  of  King 
Charles'  execution  readied  us  in  the 
West,  the  day  had  been  set  for  my 
marriage  with  Sarah  Lochrig ;  but  the 
fear  and  consternation  which  the  tid- 
ings bred  in  all  minds,  many  dreading 
that  the  event  would  be  followed  by 
a  total  breaking  up  of  the  union  and 
frame  of  society,  made  us  consent  to 
defer  our  happiness  till  wo  saw  what 
was  ordained  to  come  to  pass. 

When,  however,  it  was  seen  and 
felt  that  the  dreadful  beheading  of  an 
anointed  monarch  as  a  malefactor, 
had  scarcely  more  effect  upon  the 
tides  of  the  time  than  the  death  of  a 
sparrow, — and  that  men  were  called 
as  usual  to  their  daily  tasks  and  toils, 
— and  that  all  things  moved  onward 
in  their  accustomed  courses,  —  and 
that  laws  and  jurisdictions,  and  all 
the  wonted  pacts  and  processes  of 
community  between  man  and  man, 
suffered  neither  molestation  nor  hind- 
rance, godly  Mr  Swinton  bestowed 
his  blessing  on  our  marriage,  and  our 
friends  their  joyous  countenance  at 
the  wedding  feast. 


My  lot  was  then  full  of  felicity, 
and  I  had  no  wish  to  wander  beyond 
the  green  valley  where  we  established 
our  peaceful  dwelling.     It  was  in  a 
lown  holm  of  tho  (Jarnock,  on   tho 
lands  of  (iuharist,  a  portion  of  which 
my   father  gave    mo    in   tack ;    and 
Sarah's  father  likewise  bestowed  on 
us  seven   rigs,  and  a  cow's  grass  of 
his  own  mailing,  for  her  tocher,  as  tho 
beginning  of  a  plenishment  to  our 
young  fortunes.      Still,  like  all   tho 
neighbours,  I  was   deeply  concerned 
about  what  was  going  on  in  the  far- 
off  world  of   conflicts  and   negotia- 
tions ;   and  this  was  not  out  of   an 
idle  tliirst  of  curiosity,  but  from  an 
interest   mingled   with  sorrows   and 
affections  ;  for,  after  tlie  campaign  in 
England,  my  three  brothers,  Michael, 
William,  and  Alexander,  never  domi- 
ciled themselves  at  any  civil  calling 
Having  caught  the  roving  spiri:  of 
camps,  they  remained  in  the  skirts  of 
the  array  which  the  covenanted  Lords 
of  Edinburgh  continued  to  maintain ; 
and  here,  poor  lads  !  I  may  digress  a 
little,  to  record  the  brief  memorials 
of  their  several  unhappy  fates. 

When  King  Charles  tho  Second, 
after  accepting  and  being  sworn  to 
abide  by  the  Covenant,  was  brought 
home,  and  the  crown  of  his  ancient 
p  ogenitors  placed  upon  his  head  at 
bcoone,  by  the  hands  of  the  Marquis 
of  Argyle,  in  the  presence  of  the 
great  and  godly  Covenanters,  my 
brothers  went  in  the  army  that  he 
took  with  him  into  England.  Michael 
was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Worcester, 
by  the  side  of  Sir  John  Shaw  of 
Greenock,  who  carried  that  day  tho 
royal  banner.  Alexander  was  wounded 
in  the  same  fight,  and  left  upon  tho 
field,  where  he  was  found  next  morn- 
ing by  the  charitable  inhabitants  of 
the  city,  and  carried  to  the  house  of  a 
loyal  gentlewoman,  one  Mrs  Deer- 
hurst,  that  treated  him  with  much 
tenderness ;  but  after  languishing  in 


RINOAN  GILHATZE. 


117 


npony,  na  sho  hcraclf  wrote  to  my 
fallicr,  ho  departed  this  lifo  on  tho 
third  day. 

Of  William  I  have  sometimes 
wished  that  I  had  never  heard  more  ; 
for  after  tlio  adversity  of  that  day,  it 
would  seem  ho  forgot  tho  Covenant 
and  his  fatiier's  house.  Kitchio  Mini- 
^'!iff,  an  old  servant  of  tho  Lord 
Eglinton's,  when  tho  Earl  his  master 
was  Cromwell's  prisoner  in  the  Tower 
of  London,  saw  him  there  among  tho 
guard,  and  scmo  years  after  tho 
Kestoration  he  met  him  again  among 
tho  King's  yeomen  at  AVestminster, 
about  tho  time  of  tho  beginning  of 
the  persecution.  But  Willy  then 
begged  Ilitclue,with  tho  tear  in  his  eye, 
no  to  tell  his  father  ;  nor  was  ever  the 
old  man's  heart  pierced  with  tho 
anguish  which  tho  thought  of  such 
backsliding  would  have  causcd,though 
he  often  wondered  to  us  at  homo, 
with  the  anxiety  of  a  parent's  wonder, 
what  could  have  become  of  blithe 
light-hearted  Willy.  No  doubt  he 
died  in  tho  servitude  of  the  faithless 
tyrant ;  but  the  storm  that  fell  among 
us,  soon  after  Ritchie  had  told  me  of 
his  unfortunate  condition,  left  lis 
neither  time  nor  opportut.ity  to  in- 
quire about  any  distant  friend.  But 
to  return  to  my  own  story. 

From  my  marriage  till  the  perse- 
cution beg.an,  I  took  no  part  in  tho 
agitations  of  the  times.  It  is  true, 
after  the  discovery  of  Charles  Stuart's 
perfidious  policy,  so  like  his  father's, 
in  corresponding  with  the  I^Iarquis  of 
Montrose  for  the  subjection  of  Scot- 
land by  the  tyranny  of  tho  sword,  at 
the  very  time  ho  was  covenanting  with 
the  commissioners  sent  from  the  Lords 
at  Edinburgh  with  tho  ofTer  of  the 
throne  of  his  ancestors,  that  with  my 
father  and  my  brothei-  Robin,  together 
with  many  of  our  neighbours,  I  did 
sign  the  Remonstrance  against  making 
a  prince  of  such  a  treacherous  and 
unprincipled  nature  king.   But  in  that 


we  only  delivered  reasons  and  opinioni 
on  a  matter  of  temporal  expediency; 
for  it  was  an  instrument  that  neither 
contained  or  implied  obligation  to  arm; 
indeed  our  doportiiient  bore  testimony 
to  this  explanation  of  tho  spirit  ia 
which  it  was  conceived  and  under- 
stood. For  when  the  prince  had 
received  the  crown  and  accepted  tho 
Covenant,  wo  submitted  ourselves  as 
good  subjects.  Fearing  (iod,  wo  were 
content  to  honour  in  all  rights  and 
prerogatives,  not  contrary  to  Scrip- 
ture, him  whom,  by  His  grace  in  tho 
mysteries  of  His  wisdom.  He  had,  for 
our  manifold  sins  as  a  nation  and  a 
people,  been  pleased  to  ordain  and  set 
over  us  for  king.  And  verily  no  better 
test  of  our  sincerity  could  be,  than  tho 
distrust  with  which  our  whole  country- 
side was  respected  by  Oliver  Crom- 
well, when  lie  thought  it  necessary  to 
build  that  stronghold  at  Ayr,  by  which 
his  Englishers  were  enabled  to  hold 
tho  men  of  Carrick,  Kyle,  and  Cun- 
ningham in  awe, — a  race  that,  from 
the  days  of  Sir  William  Wallace  and 
King  Robert  the  Bruce,  have  ever 
been  found  honest  in  principle,  brave 
in  affection,  and  dauntless  and  doure 
in  battle.  But  it  is  not  necessary  to 
say  more  on  this  head ;  for  full  of 
griefs  and  grudges  as  wore  tlie  hearts 
of  all  true  Scots,  with  the  thought  of 
their  country  in  southern  thraldom, 
while  Cromwell's  Englishers  held  the 
upper  hand  amongst  us,  t!ie  season  of 
their  dominion  was  to  mo  and  my 
house  as  a  lown  and  pleasant  spring. 
All  around  me  was  bud  and  blossom 
and  juvenility,  and  gladness,  and  hope. 
My  lot  was  i\a  the  lot  of  the  blessed 
man.  I  ate  of  the  labour  of  my  hands, 
I  was  happy,  and  it  was  well  with  me ; 
my  wife,  as  the  fruitful  vino  that 
spreads  its  clusters  on  the  wall,  made 
my  lowly  dwelling  more  beautiful  to 
the  eye  of  the  heart  tlian  the  golden 
palaces  of  crowned  kings,  and  our 
pretty  bairns  were  like  olive  plants 


lis 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


round  about  my  table ; — but  they  are 
all  gone.  The  flood  and  flame  have 
passed  over  them ; — yet  be  still,  my 
heart :  a  little  while  endure  in  silence : 
for  I  have  not  taken  up  the  avenging 
pen  of  history,  and  dipped  it  in  tlie 
blood  of  martyrs,  to  record  only  my 
own  particular  woes  and  wrongs. 

It  has  been  seen,  by  what  I  have 
told  concerning  the  part  my  grand- 
fatlicr  had  in  the  great  work  of  the 
Ileformation,  that   the  heads  of  the 
house  of  Argyle  were  among  the  fore- 
most and  the  firmest  friends  of  the 
resuscitated  Evangil.     The  aged  Earl 
of  that  time  was  in  the  very  front  of 
the  controversy  as  one  of  the  Lords  of 
the   Congregation ;    and   though   his 
son,  the  Lord  of  Lorn,  hovered  for  a 
season,  like  other  young  men  of  his 
degree,  in  the  purlieus  and  preciucts 
of  the  Lady  Regent's  court,  yet  when 
lier  papistical  counsels  broke  the  pac- 
tion with  the  Protestants  at  Pertii,  I 
have  rehearsed   how   he,  being  then 
possessed  of  the  inhei-itance   of  his 
father's  dignities,  did,  with  the  bravery 
becoming  liis  blood  and  station,  re- 
monstrate witli  lier  Iligliness  against 
such  im])olitic  craft  and  perfidy,  and, 
along  with  the  Lord  James  Stuart, 
utterljt    eschew    lier    presence    and 
mctliod  of  government. 

After  the  return  of  Queen  Mary 
from  France,  and  while  she  manifested 
a  respect  for  the  rights  of  her  cove- 
nanted people,  that  worthy  Earl  was 
among  her  best  friends;  and  even 
after  the  dismal  doings  that  led  to  her 
captivity  in  Lochleven  Castle,  and 
thence  to  the  battle  of  Langside,  he 
still  juted  tlie  part  of  a  true  noble- 
man to  a  sovereign  so  fickle  and  so 
faithU'f-s.  "Whether  he  rued  on  tlie 
field  that  iie  had  done  so,  or  was 
smitten  with  an  infirmity  that  pre- 
vented him  from  fighting  against  liis 
old  friend  an<l  covenanted  brother, 
the  good  Regent  Murray,  belongs  not 
to  tlua  history  to  iuc][uire ;  but  certain 


it  is,  that  in  him  the  Protestant  prin- 
ciples of  his  honourable  house  suf- 
fered no  dilapidation  ;  and  in  the  per- 
son of  his  grandson,  the  first  marquis 
of  the  name,  they  were  stoutly 
asserted  and  maintained. 

When  the  first  Charles,  and  Laud, 
that  ravenous  Arminiiui  Anticlirist, 
attempted  to  subvert  and  abrogate 
the  Presbyterian  gospel  Avorsliip,  not 
only  did  the  marquis  stand  forth  in  the 
van  of  the  Covenanters  to  stay  the 
religious  oppression  then  meditated 
against  his  native  land,  but  laboured 
with  all  becoming  earnestness  to 
avert  the  pestilence  of  civil  war.  In 
that  doubtless  Argyle  offended  tho 
false  counsellors  about  the  King  ;  but 
when  the  English  Parliament,  with  a 
Lawless  arrogance,  struck  off  the  head 
of  the  miscounselled  and  bigoted 
monarch,  faithful  to  his  covenants  and 
tlie  loyalty  of  his  race,  tlie  Marquis 
was  amongst  the  foremost  of  the 
Scottish  nobles  to  proclaim  the  Prince 
of  Wales  king.  With  his  own  liands 
he  placed  on  Charles  the  Second's 
head  the  aiicient  diadem  of  Scotland. 
Surely  it  niiglic  tiierufore  have  been 
supposed,  that  all  previous  offence 
against  tiie  royal  family  was  forgotten 
and  forgiven ;  yea,  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  General  Monk  himself, 
the  boldest  in  the  cause  of  Cromwell's 
usurpation,  was  rewarded  with  a 
dukedom  in  England  for  doing  no 
more  for  the  king  there  than  Argyle 
had  done  for  him  before  in  greater 
peril  here,  it  could  not  have  entered 
into  the  imagination  of  Christian 
men,  tliat  Argyle,  for  only  submitting 
like  a  private  subject  to  the  same 
usurped  autliority  when  it  had  become 
siii)reme,  would,  after  the  Restoration, 
be  brought  to  the  block.  Hut  it  was 
so;  and  though  the  inachinations  of 
political  enemies  converted  that  Hub- 
mission  into  treasons  to  excuse  their 
own  crime,  yet  there  was  not  an 
houest  mau  iu  all  iha  realm  that  did 


BINGAN  GILfiAlZE. 


119 


not  sec  in  the  doom  of  Argylo  a  dis- 
mal onion  of  the  cloud  and  storm 
wliich  so  soon  after  burst  upon  our 
rolijjious  liberties. 

i'sissing,  liowcver,  by  all  those 
afllictions  wliicii  took  the  colour  of 
pulitical  animosities,  I  Iiasten  to  speak 
of  the  proceedings  which,  from  the 
hour  of  the  Restoration,  were  hatched 
for  the  revival  of  tlie  prelatie  oppres- 
.Mon.  The  tyranny  of  the  Stuarts  is 
indued  of  so  fell  a  nature,  tliat,  having 
once  tasted  of  blood  in  any  cause,  it 
will  return  again  and  again,  however 
so  often  baffled,  till  it  has  either  de- 
voured its  prey,  or  been  itself  mas- 
tered :  and  so  it  showed  in  this 
instance.  For  regardless  of  those 
troubles  which  the  attempt  of  the 
first  (.'iiarles  to  exercise  an  authority 
in  si)iritual  tilings  beyond  the  rights 
of  ail  earthly  sovereignty  caused  to 
the  realm  and  to  himself,  the  second 
no  sooner  felt  the  sceptre  in  his  grip, 
than  I,-,)  returned  to  the  same 
enormities;  and  lie  found  a  fit  in- 
strument in  James  Siiarp,  who,  in 
contempt  of  the  wrath  of  (iod.  sold 
himself  to  Antichrist  for  the  prelacy 
of  St  Andrews. 

But  it  \v;\H  not  among  the  tambitious 
and  mercenary  members  of  the  clergy 
that  tliu  evidences  of  a  baekslidi'ig 
generation  were  alone  to  by  seen ; 
many  of  the  people,  nobles,  and 
magistrateJi,  were  infected  witli  the 
sin  of  the  fiamc  reprobation ;  and  in 
verity,  it  might  have  been  said  of  the 
reahn,  that  the  restoration  of  King 
Charles  the  Second  was  hailed  as  an 
advent  ordained  to  make  men  forget 
all  vows,  sobriety,  and  solenuiities. 
It  in,  however,  something  to  be  said 
in  commendation  of  the  constancy  of 
mind  ami  princ'i[)le  of  our  West- 
country  folk,  that  the  immorality  of 
that  (h'unken  loyalty  was  less  outra- 
geous and  offensive  to  God  and  man 
amonjT  them,  and  that  altiiough  we 
did  eubuiit,  and  were  commuudud  to 


commemorate"  the  anniversary  of  the 
King's  restoration,  it  was  nevertheless 
done  with  humiliation  and  anxiety  of 
spirit.  But  a  vain  thing  it  would  be 
of  me  to  attempt  to  tell  tlie  heartburn- 
ing with  which  Ave  heard  of  the  man- 
ner that  the  Covenant,  and  of  all 
things  whi'.h  had  bee';  hallowed  and 
honourable  to  religious  Scotland,  Avere 
treated  in  the  town  of  LithgoAV  on 
that  occasion,  filtiiough  all  of  my 
grandfather's  stock  knew  that  from  of 
old  it  was  a  seat  and  sink  of  syco- 
phancy, alien  to  holiness,  and  prono 
to  lick  the  dust  aneath  the  feet  of 
Avhomsoever  ministered  to  the  corrup- 
tion abiding  there. 

Had  the  general  inebriation  of  the 
kingdom  been  confined  only  to  such 
mockers  as  the  papistical  progeny  of 
the  unregencrate  town  of  LithgoAv, 
Ave  might  perhaps  have  only  grieved 
at  the  wantonness  of  the  Avorld  ;  but 
they  Avere  soon  followed  by  more 
palpable  enormities.  ^liddleton,  tlio 
King's  commissioner,  coming  on  a 
jirogrcss  to  Glas^gow.  held  a  council 
of  state  there,  at  Avhieh  Avas  present 
the  apostate  Fairfoul,  Avho  had  been 
shortly  before  nominated  Archbisiiop 
of  tiiat  city  ;  and  at  his  Avicked  incite- 
ment, Middleton,  in  a  fit  of  actual 
intoxication  from  strong  drink,  let 
loose  the  bloodhounds  of  persecution 
by  that  memorable  act  of  council 
which  bear,',  the  date  of  the  1st  of 
October,  1GG2 — an  anniversary  that 
ought  ever  to  be  held  as  a  solemn  fast 
in  Scotland,  if  such  things  miglit  be, 
for  by  it  all  the  ministers  that  had 
received  Gospel  ordination  from  and 
after  the  year  forty-nine,  and  avIio  still 
refused  to  bow  the  knee  to  Baal,  Avero 
banished,  Avith  their  families,  from 
their  kirks  and  manses. 

But  to  understand  in  Avhat  Avay 
that  Avicked  act,  and  the  blood-caus- 
ing ])roelamatiou  Avhich  ensued,  came 
to  take  effect,  it  is  needful,  befun; 
proceeding  to  the  recital,  to  bid  tlu 


1^ 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


courteous  reader  remember  the  preach- 
ing of  the  doctrine  of  passive  obe- 
dience by  our  time-servinsf  pastor,  Mr 
Sundrum,  and  how  the  kirk  was  de- 
serted on  that  occasion  ;  because,  after 
his  death,  which  huppenod  in  the 
forty-nine,  godly  Mr  Swinton  became 
our  chosen  pastor,  and  being  placed 
and  inducted  according  to  the  apos- 
tolic ordination  of  Presbytery,  fell  of 
course,  like  many  of  his  Gospel 
brethren,  under  the  ban  of  the  afore- 
said proclamation,  of  which  some  im- 
perfect sough  and  rumour  reached  us 
on  the  Friday  after  it  was  framed. 

At  first  the  particulars  were  not 
known,  for  it  was  described  as  the 
muttering  of  unclean  spirits  against 
the  purity  of  the  Truth ;  but  the 
tidingB  startled  us  like  the  growl  of 
some  unknown  and  dreadful  thing, 
and  I  dreamt  that  night  of  my  grand- 
father, with  his  white  hair  and  the 
comely  venerableness  of  his  great  age, 
appearing  pale  and  sorrowful  in  a 
field  before  me,  and  pointing  with  a 
hand  of  streaming  light  to  horsemen, 
and  chariots,  and  armies  with  banners, 
waving  together  on  the  distant  hills. 

Saturday  was  then  the  market-day 
at  Irvine ;  and  though  I  had  but  little 
business  there,  I  yet  went  in  with  my 
brother  Robin,  chiefly  to  hear  the  talk 
of  the  town.  In  this  I  but  partook  of 
the  common  sympathy  of  the  whole 
counlxy-side;  for,  on  entering  the 
town-end  port,  we  found  the  con- 
course of  people  there  assembled  little 
short  of  the  crowd  at  Marymas  Fair, 
and  all  eager  to  learn  what  the  council 
held  at  Glasizow  had  done ;  but  no 
one  could  tell.  Only  it  was  known 
that  the  Earl  of  Eglintoii.  who  had 
been  present  at  the  council,  was  re- 
turned homo  to  the  castle,  and  that  he 
had  sent  for  the  Provost  that  morning 
on  very  urgent  business. 

While  wo  were  thus  all  speaking 
and  marvelling  one  with  another,  a 
cry  got  up  that  a  band  of  soldiers 


was  coming  into  the  town  from  Ayr, 
the  report  of  which,  for  the  space  of 
several  minutes,  struck  every  one  with 
awe  and  apprehension.  And  scarcely 
had  the  sough  of  this  passed  over  us, 
when  it  was  told  tliat  the  ])rovo3t 
had  privately  returned  from  Kgliuton 
Castle  by  the  (iailows-knowes  to  the 
backsides,  and  tliat  he  had  sent  for 
the  minister  and  the  bailies,  with 
others  of  the  council,  to  meet  him  in 
the  clerk's  chamber. 

No  one  wist  what  the  moaning  of 
such  movements  and  mysteries  could 
be  ;  but  all  boded  danger  to  the  fold 
and  flock,  none  doubting  that  the 
wolves  of  Episcopalian  covetousness 
were  hungering  and  thirsting  for  the 
blood  of  the  covenanted  lambs.  Nor 
were  we  long  left  to  our  guesses,  for, 
soon  after  the  magistrates  and  the 
minister  had  met,  a  copy  of  tlit  pro- 
clamation of  the  council  hold  at  Glas- 
gow was  put  upon  the  tolbootli  door, 
by  which  it  was  manifested  to  every 
eye  that  the  fences  of  the  vineyard 
were  indeed  broken  down,  and  that 
the  boar  was  let  in  and  wrathfuUy 
trampling  down  and  laying  Avastc. 


CIIAPTER    XVI. 

TiiK  proclamation  was  a  stunning 
blow  on  the  forehead  of  the  Cove- 
nanters, and  for  the  next  two  Sab- 
baths Mr  Swinton  was  plainly  in 
praj'or  a  weighed  down  and  sorrow- 
ful-hearted man,  but  he  said  nothing 
in  liis  discourses  that  particularly 
affected  the  marrow  of  that  borc  and 
solemn  business.  On  the  Friday 
night,  however,  before  the  last  Lord's 
day  of  that  black  October,  he  sent  for 
my  brother,  who  was  one  of  his  elders, 
and  told  him  tliat  lie  had  reueivod  a 
mandatory  for  conformity  to  the  pro- 
clamation, and  to  acknowledge  the 
prelatic  reprobation  that  the  King's 
government  had  introduced  into  the 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


121 


church ;  but  that  it  wns  hia  inten- 
tion, strengthened  of  tlie  Lord,  to 
adhere  to  his  vows  and  covenants, 
even  to  the  uttermost,  and  not  to 
quit  his  flock,  liappen  what  Avould. 

"Tlie  ])eild  of  the  kirk  and  the 
manse,"  said  he,  "  being  teniporahties, 
are  aneatli  the  power  and  regulation 
of  the  eartldy  monarch  ;  but  in  the 
things  tliat  pertain  to  the  allegiance  1 
owe  to  the  King  of  kings,  I  will  act, 
with  his  heartening,  the  part  of  a  true 
and  loyal  vassal." 

Tliis  determination  being  known 
throughout  the  parish,  and  the  first  of 
November  being  the  last  day  allowed 
for  conforming,  on  the  Sabbath  pre- 
ceding we  had  a  throng  kirk  and  a 
solemneezed  congregation.  Accord- 
ing to  their  wonted  custom,  the  men, 
before  the  hour  of  worship,  assembled 
in  the  ki'-k-yard,  and  there  was  much 
nuirmuring  and  marvelling  among  us, 
that  nobody  ill  all  the  land  would 
stand  forth  to  renew  the  Covenant, 
as  was  done  in  the  year  thirty-eight ; 
and  we  looked  around  and  beheld  the 
green  graves  of  many  friends  that  had 
died  since  the  great  day  of  the  cove- 
nanting, and  we  were  ashamed  of  our- 
selves and  of  our  time,  and  mourned 
for  the  loss  of  the  brave  spirits  which, 
in  the  darkness  of  His  mysterious 
wisdom,  tlie  Lord  had  taken  away. 

'J'he  weather,  for  the  season,  was 
bright  and  dry;  and  the  withered  leaf 
still  hung  liei'e  and  there  on  the  tree, 
so  that  old  and  young,  the  infirm  and 
the  tender,  could  come  .abroad ;  and 
many  that  had  been  bed-rid  Avere  sup- 
ported along  by  their  relations  to 
hear  the  word  of  Truth,  for  the  last 
time,  preached  in  the  iiouse  of  God. 

i\Ir  Swinton  came,  followed  by  his 
wife  and  family.  He  was,  by  this  time, 
a  man  well  stricken  in  years,  but  Mrs 
.Swinton  was  of  a  younger  genera- 
tion ;  and  they  had  seven  children, — 
]Martha,  the  eldest,  a  fine  lassie,  was 
not  passing  fourteen  years  of  age.  As 


they  c£ime  slowly  up  the  kirk-stile, 
we  all  remarked  that  the  godly  man 
never  lifted  his  eyes  from  the  ground, 
but  came  along  perusing,  as  it  were, 
the  very  eartii  for  consolation. 

Tlse  private  door  which,  at  that 
epoch,  led  to  the  minister's  seat  and 
the  pulpit  was  near  to  where  the  bell- 
rope  hung  on  the  outer  wall,  and  as 
the  family  Avent  towards  it,  one  of  the 
ciders  stepped  from  the  plate  at  the 
main  door  to  open  it.  But  after  Mrs 
Swinton  and  the  children  had  gone 
in,  the  minister,  who  always  stopped 
till  they  had  done  so,  instead  of  then 
following,  paused  and  looked  up  with 
a  compassionate  aspect,  and  laying 
his  hand  on  the  shoulders  of  old 
Willy  Shackle,  who  was  ringing  the 
bell,  he  said — 

"  Stop,  my  auld  frien',— they  that 
in  this  parish  need  a  bell  this  day  to 
call  them  to  the  service  of  their  Ma- 
ker winna  come  on  the  summons  o* 
yours." 

He  then  walked  in ;  and  the  old 
man,  greatly  affected,  mounted  the 
stool,  and  tied  up  the  rope  to  the  ring 
in  the  wall  in  his  usual  manner,  that 
it  might  be  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
school  weans.  "  But,"  said  he,  as  he 
came  down,  "  I  needna  fash  ;  for  af- 
ter this  day  little  care  I  wha  rings  the 
bell ;  since  it's  to  be  consecrat  to  the 
wantonings  o'  prelacy,  I  wis  the 
tongue  wiis  out  o'  its  mouth  and  its 
head  cracket,  rather  than  that  I 
should  live  to  see't  in  the  service  of 
Baal  and  the  whore  o'  Babylon." 

After  all  the  congregation  had  ta- 
ken tiieir  seats,  Mr  Swinton  rose  and 
moved  towards  the  front  of  the  pulpit, 
and  t!i('  silence  in  the  church  was  as 
the  silence  at  the  martyrdom  of  some 
holy  martyr.  He  then  opened  THE 
Book,  and  having  given  out  the 
ninety-fourth  Psalm,  we  sang  it  with 
weeping  souls  ;  and  during  the  prayer 
that  followed  there  was  much  sob- 
bing and  lamentations,  and  an  uui- 


12^ 


illNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


vorsal  sorrow.  His  discourse  was 
from  the  fifth  chapter  of  the  Liuneu- 
tatioiis  of  Jereiiiiali,  verse  first,  and 
first  clause  of  the  verse;  and  witli  the 
tongue  of  a  prophet,  and  tlie  voice  of 
an  apostle,  he  foretold,  as  things  al- 
ready written  in  tlie  chronicles  of  the 
kiiig<loni,  many  of  those  sufferings 
v'liieh  afterwards  came  to  pass.  It 
was  a  sermon  that  settled  into  the 
bottom  of  the  hearts  of  all  that  heard 
it,  and  prepared  us  for  the  woes  of 
the  vial  that  was  then  ]iouring  out. 

At  the  close  of  the  discourse,  when 
the  precentor  rose  to  read  the  re- 
membering prayer,  old  Ebenezer 
Muir,  then  upwards  of  fourscore  and 
thirteen,  who  had  been  brought  into 
the  church  on  a  barrow  by  two  of  his 
grandsons,  and  was,  for  reason  of  his 
deafness,  in  the  bench  with  the  elders, 
gave  him  a  paper,  which,  after  re- 
hearsing tlic  names  of  those  in  dis- 
tress and  sickness,  he  road,  and  it 
was  "The  persecuted  kirk  of  Scot- 
land." 

"If  I  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem! 
let  my  right  hand  forget  her  cun- 
ning,'" cried  Mr  Swinton  at  the  words, 
witli  an  inspiration  that  made  every 
lieart  dirl ;  and  surely  never  was  sueh 
a  prayer  heard  as  tluit  with  which  he 
followed  up  the  divine  words. 

Then  we  sang  the  hundred  and 
fortieth  Psnlm,  at  the  conclusion  of 
which  the  minister  came  again  to  the 
front  of  the  pulpit,  and  with  a  calm 
voice,  attuned  to  by  ordiuaro  solem- 
nity, he  pronounced  the  blessing ; 
then,  suddenly  turning  himself,  he 
looked  down  to  his  family  and  said, 
"  Tlie  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds 
of  the  air  liave  nests;  but  the  Son  of 
man  hath  not  where  to  lay  his  head." 
And  he  covered  his  face  with  his 
iiands.  and  sat  down  and  wept. 

Never  shall  I  forget  the  sound 
which  rose  at  that  sight.  It  was  not 
a  cry  of  woe  ;  neither  was  it  the  howl 
of  despair,  nor  the  sob  of  sorrow,  nor 


the  gurl  of  wrath,  nor  the  moan  of 
anguish,  but  a  deep  and  dreadful 
rustling  of  hearts  and  spirits,  as  if  the 
angel  of  desolation,  in  passing  by,  had 
shaken  all  his  wings. 

The  kirk  then  began  to  skail ;  and 
when  the  minister  and  his  family  camo 
out  into  the  kirk-yard,  all  the  heads 
of  families  present,  moved  by  some 
sacred  instinct  from  on  higli,  followed 
them  with  one  accord  to  tlie  manse, 
like  friends  at  a  burial,  where  we  told 
them,  that  whatever  the  Lord  was 
pleased  to  allow  to  ourselves,  a  por- 
tion would  be  set  apart  for  his  ser- 
vant. I  was  the  spokesman  on  that 
occasion,  and  verily  do  I  think  that, 
as  I  said  the  words,  a  glorious  light 
shone  around  me,  and  that  I  felt  a 
fanning  of  the  inward  life,  as  if  the 
young  cherubims  were  present  among 
us,  and  fluttering  their  wings  with  :v.^ 
exceeding  great  joy  at  the  piety  of  our 
kind  intents. 

So  passed  that  memorable  Sabbath 
in  our  parish  ;  and  here  I  may  relate, 
that  we  had  the  satisfaction  and  com- 
fort to  know,  in  a  little  time  thereafter, 
that  the  same  Christian  faitiifulness 
with  which  Mr  Swinton  adhered  to 
his  gospel  trusts  and  character,  was 
maintained  on  that  day  by  more  than 
three  hundred  other  nuuisters,  to  the 
perpetual  renown  of  our  national 
worth  and  covenanted  cause.  And 
therefore,  though  it  was  an  era  of 
much  sorrow  and  of  many  tears,  it 
was  thus,  through  the  mysterious  ways 
of  Providence,  converted  into  a  ground 
of  confidence  in  our  religion,  in  so 
much  that  it  may  be  truly  said,  out  of 
tlie  ruins  and  the  overthrow  of  the 
first  rresbyterian  Church  the  Lord 
built  uji  among  us  a  stronghold  and 
sanctuary  for  his  truth  and  Inw. 

Nothing  particular  happened  till 
the  second  week  of  November,  when 
a  citation  camo  from  Irvine,  com- 
manding the  attendance  of  ^Mr  Swin- 
ton, on  a  suffragan    of   Fairfoul'a, 


llINGAN  GILHATZU. 


m 


till 


under  the  penalties  of  tlic  proclama- 
tiuii.  In  the  meuntimc  wo  had  been 
preparing  for  the  event ;  and  my 
i'utlier  having  been  some  time  no 
more,  and  my  brother  witii  his  family 
in  a  house  of  their  own,  it  was  settled 
between  him  and  me,  that  I  should 
take  our  motlier  into  mine,  in  order 
that  the  beild  of  (iuharist  might  be 
given  up  to  the  minister  and  his 
houseless  little  ones;  which  all  our 
neighbours  much  commended ;  and 
there  was  no  slackness  on  their  part 
in  making  a  provision  to  supply  tlio 
want  of  his  impounded  stipend. 

As  all  had  foreseen,  Mr  Swiutou, 
for  not  appearing  to  the  citation,  was 
pronounced  a  non-conformist;  and  the 
same  night,  after  dusk,  a  party  of  the 
soldiers,  that  were  marched  from  Ayr 
into  Ir^'ine  on  the  day  of  the  pro- 
clamation, came  to  drive  him  out  of 
the  manse. 

There  was  surely  in  this  a  needless 
and  cxasj)erating severity,  for  the  light 
of  day  might  have  served  as  well;  but 
th(^  men  were  not  to  blame,  and  the 
officer  who  came  with  tliem.  having 
himself  been  tried  in  the  battles  of  tlie 
Covenant,  and  being  of  a  humane 
spirit,  was  as  meek  and  compassion- 
ate in  his  tyrannical  duty  as  could 
reasonably  be  hoped  for.  lie  allowed 
]\Irs  Swiuton  to  take  away  her  clothes, 
and  the  babies,  that  were  asleep  in 
their  beds,  time  to  be  awakmed  and 
dressed,  nor  did  he  object  to  their  old 
ploughman,  Kobin  Harrow,  taking 
sundry  articles  of  provision  for  their 
next  morning's  repast;  so  that,  com- 
pared with  the  riots  and  rami)ageous 
insolence  of  the  troopers  in  other 
places,  we  had  great  reason  to  be 
thankful  for  the  tenderness  with  which 
our  minister  and  his  small  family  of 
Seven  children  were  treated  on  that 
memorable  night. 

It  was  about  eight  o'clock  when 
Martha,  the  eldest  daughter,  came 
flying  to  me  like  a  demeuted  creature, 


crying  the  persecutors  were  come,  with 
naked  swords  and  dreadful  faces,  and 
she  wept  and  wrung  her  hands,  think- 
ing they  were  then  nnirdering  her 
parents  and  brothers  and  sisters.  I 
did,  however,  all  that  was  in  my  power 
to  pacify  her,  saying,  our  lots  were 
not  yet  laid  in  blood,  and,  leaving  her 
to  the  consolatory  counsellings  of  my 
wife,  I  put  on  my  bonnet,  and  has- 
tened over  to  the  manse. 

The  night  was  troubled  and  gusty 
The  moon  was  in  her  first  quarter, 
and  wading  dim  and  low  through  the 
clouds  on  the  Arran  hills.  Afar  off, 
the  bars  of  Ayr,  in  their  roaring, 
boded  a  storm,  and  the  stars  were 
rushing  through  a  swift  and  showery 
south-west  carry.  The  wind,  as  it 
hissed  over  the  stubble,  sounded  like 
the  wliisperings  of  desolation  ;  and  I 
was  thrice  startled  in  my  walk  by 
passing  shapes  and  shadows,  whereof 
I  could  not  discern  the  form. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  manse 
door  I  met  the  godly  sufferer  and  his 
destitute  family,  with  his  second 
youngest  child  in  his  arms.  Mrs 
Swinton  had  their  baby  at  her  bosom, 
and  the  other  four  i)oor,  terrified, 
helpless  creatures  were  hirpliug  at 
their  sides,  holding  them  by  the 
skirts,  mid  often  looking  round  in 
terror,  dreading  the  persecutors,  by 
whom  they  were  in  that  dismal  and 
inclement  night  so  ciist  u^iou  the 
mercy  of  the  elements.  But  He  that 
tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb 
was  their  protector. 

"You  see,  Kingan  Gilhaizo,"  said 
the  minister,  "  how  it  fares  with  tliem 
in  this  world  whose  principles  are  at 
variance  with  the  pretensions  of  man. 
But  wo  are  mereifnlly  dealt  by — a 
rougher  manner  and  a  harder  heart, 
in  the  age  it  of  ])ersecution  that  has 
driven  us  from  house  and  home,  I 
had  laid  my  account  for ;  therefore, 
even  in  tliis  dispensation,  I  can 
SCO  the  gcutio  baud  of  a  gracious 


m 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


T>'>.:^ter,  and  I  bow  the  head  of 
thankfulness." 

While  we  were  tlms  speaking  and 
■walking  towards  Quharist,  several  of 
the  neighbours,  who  had  likewise 
heard  the  alarm  of  Avhat  had  thus  come 
to  pass,  joined  us  on  the  way,  and  I  felt 
within  myself  that  it  was  a  proud 
thing  to  be  able  to  give  refuge  and 
asylum  to  an  aged  Gospel  minister 
and  his  family  in  such  a  time  and  on 
such  a  night. 

We  had  not  been  long  in  the  house 
when  a  great  concourse  of  his  friends 
and  people  gathered  around,  and 
among  others  Nahum  Chapelrig,  who 
had  been  some  time  his  father's  suc- 
cessor in  the  school.  But  all  present 
were  molested  and  angry  with  him, 
for  he  came  in  battle  array,  with  the 
Bword  and  gun  that  he  had  carried  in 
the  raids  of  the  civil  war,  and  was 
bragging  of  valorous  things  then 
needful  to  be  done. 

"  Nahum  Chapelrig,"  said  the 
Worthy  to  him  with  severity,  "  this  is 
no  conduct  for  the  occasion.  It  would 
hae  been  a  black  day  for  Scotland  had 
her  cliildren  covenanted  themselves 
for  temporal  things.  No,  Nahum  ;  if 
the  prelatic  reprobation  now  at- 
tempted on  the  kirk  gang  nae  farther 
than  outing  her  ministers  from  their 
kirks  and  manses,  it  maun  be  tholet ; 
so  look  to  it,  that  ye  give  not  the  ad- 
versary cause  to  reproach  us  with 
longing  for  the  flesh-pots  of  Egypt 
when  we  are  free  to  taste  of  the  hea- 
venly manna.  I  rcdde  ye,  therefore, 
ahum  Chapelrig,  before  these  wit- 
nesses, to  unbuckle  that  belt  of  war, 
and  lay  down  thae  weapons  of  offence. 
The  time  of  the  shield  and  banner 
may  come  owre  .«oon  upon  us.  Let 
us  not  provoke  t!ic  smitcr,  lest  he 
draw  his  sword  against  us,  and  have 
law  and  reason  on  his  side.  There- 
fore, I  say  unto  thee,  Peter,  put  up 
thy  sword." 

The  zealous  dominie,  being  thus 


timeously  rebuked,  unharnessed  him- 
self, and  the  minister  having  returned 
thanks  for  the  softness  with  which 
the  oppression  was  let  down  upon 
him,  and  for  the  pious  affection  of 
his  people,  we  returned  home  to  our 
respective  dwellings. 

But  though  by  this  Christian  sub- 
mission the  power  of  cruelty  was  at 
that  time  rendered  innocent  towards 
all  those  who  did  as  Mr  Swinton  had 
done,  we  were,  nevertheless,  not  al- 
lowed to  remain  long  unvisited  by 
another  swirl  of  the  rising  storm. 
Before  the  year  was  out,  Fairfoul, 
the  Glasgow  antichrist,  sent  upon  us 
one  of  the  class  that  prelacy  was  then 
so  fast  adopting  for  her  sons  and 
heirs.  A  lang,  thin,  bare  lad  he  was, 
that  had  gotten  some  spoonful  or  two 
of  pagan  philosophy  at  college,  but 
never  a  solid  meal  of  learning,  nor, 
were  we  to  judge  by  his  greedy  gap- 


ing,   even 


a  satisfactory  meal  of 
victuals.  His  name  was  Andrew 
Dornock ;  and,  poor  fellow,  being 
eschewed  among  us  on  account  of  his 
spiritual  leprosy,  he  drew  up  with 
divers  loose  characters,  that  were  nae 
overly  nice  of  their  company. 

1'his  made  us  dislike  him  moro 
and  more,  in  so  much,  that,  like  others 
of  his  nature  and  calling,  he  made 
sore  and  secret  complaint««  of  his 
parishioners  to  his  mitred  master ;  re- 
presenting, for  aught  I  ken  to  the 
contrary,  that,  instead  of  believing 
tlie  Gospel  according  to  Charles 
Stuart,  we  preferred  that  of  certain 
four  persons,  called  Matthew,  Mark, 
Li  ke,  and  Joim,  of  whom,  it  may  bo 
doubted,  if  he,  poor  man,  knew  moro 
of  tiian  the  names.  But  be  tiiat  as  it 
may,  to  a  surety  he  did  grievously 
yell  and  cry,  because  we  preferred 
listening  to  the  Gospel  melody  of 
JNIr  Swinton  under  a  tree  to  his  feck- 
less havers  in  the  kuk  ;  as  if  it  was 
nae  a  more  glorious  thing  to  worship 
God  in  the  freedom  and  presence  of 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


125 


re- 
the 


universal  Nature,  beneath  the  canopy 
of  all  the  heavens,  than  to  bow  the 
head  in  the  fetters  of  episcopal  bond- 
age below  tlie  stoury  rafters  of  an 
auld  bifjging,  such  as  our  kirk  was, 
a  perfect  howf  of  cloks  and  spiders. 
Indeed,  for  that  matter,  it  was  said 
tliat  the  only  sensible  thing  Andrew 
Dornock  ever  uttered  from  the  pulpit 
was,  when  lie  first  rose  to  speak 
therein,  and  which  was  caused  by  a 
spider,  that  just  r.t  the  moment 
lowered  itself  down  inio  his  mouth  : 
♦'()  Lord,"  cried  the  curate,  "we're 
puzhened  wi'  speeders !  " 

It  niii^'ht  have  been  thou^^ht,  con- 
sidering the  poor  hand  which  the  pre- 
latic  curates  made  of  it  in  their  en- 
deavours to  preach,  that  they  would 
have  set  themselves  down  content 
with  the  stipend,  and  allowed  the 
flocks  to  follow  their  own  shepherds 
in  peace ;  but  their  hearts  were  filled 
with  the  bitterness  of  envy  at  the 
siglit  of  the  multitudes  that  went  forth 
to  gather  the  manna  in  the  fields,  and 
their  malice  was  exasperated  to  a 
wonderful  pitch  of  wickedness  by  the 
derision  and  contempt  with  which 
they  found  themselves  regarded.  I-io 
one  among  them  all,  however,  felt  this 
envy  and  malice  more  stirring  within 
him,  than  did  the  arch-apostate  James 
Sharp ;  for  the  faithfulness  of  so 
many  ministers  was  a  terror  and  a  re- 
proach to  his  conscience  and  apostacy, 
and  made  him  labour  with  an  exceed- 
ing zeal  and  animosity  to  extirpate  so 
many  evidences  of  his  own  religious 
guilt.  Accordingly,  by  his  malignant 
counsellings,  edicts  and  decrees  came 
out  iigainst  our  t;ibernacle  in  tlie  wil- 
derness, and  under  the  opprobrious 
name  of  conventicles,  our  holy  meet- 
ings were  made  prohibited  oiTences, 
and  our  ministers  subjected  to  pains 
and  penalties,  as  sowers  of  sedition. 

It  is  a  marvellous  thing  to  think  of 
the  madness  with  which  the  minds  of 
those  iu  authority  at  that  time  were 


kindled;  first,  to  create  causes  of 
wrong  to  the  con-sciences  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  afterwards  to  enact  laM'  •  for 
the  natural  fruit  of  that  frantic  policy. 
The  wanton  imposition  of  the  prelatic 
oppression  begat  our  field  preachings, 
and  the  attempts  to  disperse  us  by  tho 
sword  brought  on  resistance.  IJut  it 
belongs  not  to  me  and  my  story  to 
treat  of  the  folly  of  a  race  and  govern- 
ment, upon  whom  a  curse  was  so 
manifestly  pronounced ;  I  shall  there- 
fore return  from  this  generality  to 
those  particulars  wherein  I  was  my- 
self a  witness  or  a  sufferer. 

During  the  greater  part  of  tho 
year  after  the  banishment  of  Mr 
Swinton  from  the  manse  and  kirk,  we 
met  with  little  molestation ;  but  from 
time  to  time  rumours  came  over  us 
like  the  first  breatliings  of  the  cold 
blasts  in  autumn,  that  forerun  tho 
storms  of  winter.  All  thoughts  of 
innocent  pastimes  and  pleasures  pas- 
sed away,  like  the  yellow  leaves  that 
fall  from  the  melancholy  trees ;  and 
there  was  a  heaviness  in  the  tread, 
and  a  solemnity  in  the  look  of  every 
one,  that  showed  how  widely  the 
shadows  of  coming  woes  were  dark- 
ening the  minds  of  men. 

But  though  the  Court  of  Commis- 
sion, which  the  apostate  James  Sharp 
procured  to  bo  established  for  the 
cognizance  of  those  who  refused  to 
acknowledge  the  prelatic  usurpation, 
was,  in  its  proceedings,  guided  by  as 
little  truth  or  principle  as  the  Spanish 
inquisition,  the  violence  and  tyranny 
of  its  awards  fell  less  on  those  of  my 
degree  than  on  the  gentry;  and  it 
was  not  till  tlie  drunkard  Turner  was 
appointed  general  of  the  west  coun- 
try that  our  personal  sufferings  began. 

The  curates  furnished  him  with 
lists  of  recusants;  and  power  haviiig 
been  given  unto  him  to  torment  on 
for  many  days,  he  was  as  remorseless 
as  James  Sharp's  own  Court  in  tho 
iiues  which  he  levied,  and  iu  eating 


126 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


tho  people  lip,  by  sending  his  men  to 
live  upon  them  at  free  quarters,  till 
the  fines  were  paid. 

In  our  neiglibourhood  wo  were  for 
some  time  gently  dealt  with ;  for  tho 
colonel  who  at  Ayr  had  tiic  command 
under  Turner,  was  of  a  humane  spirit, 
and  for  a  season,  tliough  the  rumour 
of  the  oppressions  in  Dumfriesshire 
and  Galloway,  where  tho  drunkard 
himself  reigned  and  ruled,  dismayed 
and  troubled  us  beyond  utterance,  we 
wore  still  permitted  to  taste  of  the 
gospel  pastures  with  our  own  faithful 
shepherd. 

But  this  was  a  blessing  too  great 
in  those  days  to  be  of  a  continuance 
to  any  flock.  The  mild  and  consider- 
ate gentleman,  who  had  softened  the 
rigour  of  the  prelatic  rage,  was  re- 
moved from  his  command,  and  in  his 
f)lace  came  certain  cruel  olKcers,  who, 
ike  the  serpents  that  were  sent  among 
the  children  of  Israel  in  the  desert, 
defiled  our  dwellings,  and  alllicted 
many  of  us  even  unto  death.  The 
change  was  the  more  bitterly  felt,  be- 
cause it  was  sudden,  and  came  upon 
us  in  an  unexpected  manner,  of  which 
I  will  here  set  down  some  of  tho  cir- 
cumstantials. 

According  to  the  usage  among  us, 
from  the  time  when  Mr  Swinton  was 
thrust  from  the  ministry,  the  parish 
had  assembled,  on  the  third  Lord's 
day  of  May,  in  the  year  1GG5,  under 
the  big  sycamore -tree  at  Zachariah 
Sraylie's  gable,  and  which  has  ever 
since  been  reverenced  by  the  name  of 
the  Poopit  Tree.  A  cart  served  him 
for  the  place  of  lecture  and  exhorta- 
tion; and  Zachariah  Smylie's  daughter, 
Rebecca  Armour,  a  goiily  widow,  who 
resided  with  him,  ha<l,  as  her  custom 
was  in  fine  weather,  ordered  and 
arranged  all  the  stools  and  chairs  in 
the  house,  with  the  milk  and  washing- 
boynes  upside  down,  around  the  cart 
aa  seats  for  the  aged.  When  tho  day 
was  wet  or  bled(,  the  worsbi|>  was 


held  in  the  barn ;  but  on  this  occasion 
tho  morning  was  lown  and  tho  lift 
clear,  and  the  natural  quietude  of  tho 
Sabbath  reigned  over  all  the  fields. 
AVc  had  sung  a  portion  of  the  p.^alui, 
and  tho  harmonious  sound  of  voices 
and  spirits  in  unison  was  spreading 
into  the  tranquil  air,  as  the  pleasant 
fragrancy  of  flowers  diffuses  itself 
around,  and  the  tune,  to  which  we 
sung  the  divine  inspiration,  was  tlie 
sweet  and  solemn  melody  of  the 
Martjrs. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  wo  pro- 
ceeded through  tho  second  verse, 
when  Mr  Swinton,  who  was  sitting  on 
a  stool  in  the  cart,  with  his  back  to 
tho  house,  started  up,  and  said, 
"  Christians,  dinna  be  disheartened, 
but  I  think  I  see  yonder  the  glim- 
merin'  of  spears  coming  atweou  tho 
hedges." 

At  these  words  we  all  rose  .nlarmed, 
and,  on  looking  round,  saw  ?omo 
eight  or  ten  soldiers,  in  the  path  lead- 
ing from  the  high-road,  coming  to- 
wards us.  The  children  and  several 
of  the  women  moved  to  run  away,  but 
Mr  Swinton  rebuked  their  timerarious 
fear,  and  said — 

"01  ye  of  little  faith,  wherefore 
are  ye  thus  dismayed  ?  Let  us  put  our 
trust  in  IJim,  who  is  mightier  than  all 
the  armies  of  all  the  kings  of  all  the 
earth.  We  aro  here  doing  homage  to 
Ilim,  and  He  will  protect  His  true 
vassals  and  faithful  people.  In  his 
name,  therefore.  Christians,  I  charge 
you  to  continue  His  praises  in  the 
psalm  ;  for  in  His  strength  I  will,  to 
the  end  of  my  intent,  this  day  fulfil 
tho  woixl  and  tho  admonition  ;  yea, 
even  in  the  very  flouting  of  tho  adver- 
banner." 

The  vehemence  of  Elijah  was  in  his 
voice ;  wo  resumed  our  former  pos- 
tures ;  and  he  himself  leading  on  the 
psalm,  we  began  to  sing  anew  in  a 
louder  strain,  for  we  were  fortified  and 
encouraged  hy  his  hol^  intrepidity. 


sary's 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


127 


c  pro- 
verse, 

ting  on 

Jack  to 
enid, 

rtcnod, 
glim- 

en  tho 


No  ono  moved  as  it  were  an  eyelid  ; 
the  very  oliildrcn  were  steadfast ;  and 
all  looked  towards  the  man  of  God  .is 
lie  sat  in  liis  liurablo  seat,  serene,  and 
more  awful  tlian  ever  was  Solomon  on 
the  royul  throne  of  the  golden  lions, 
arrayed  in  all  Iiis  f,dory. 

Tiic  rough  soldiers  were  struek  for 
a  time  with  amazement  at  the  religious 
bravery  with  which  the  worshipping 
was  continued,  and  they  halted  as  they 
drew  near,  and  whispered  together, 
and  some  of  them  spoke  as  if  the  fear 
of  the  Tjord  had  fallen  upon  them. 
During  the  whole  time  that  we  con- 
tinued singing,  they  stood  as  if  they 
durst  not  venture  to  disturb  us ;  but 
when  the  psalm  was  finished,  their 
sergeant  called  on  them  to  do  their 
duty. 

'I'lio  men  then  advanced,  but  with 
one  accord  we  tlirew  ourselves  in  be- 
tween them  and  the  cart,  and  cried  to 
Mr  ISwinton  to  make  his  escape ;  he 
however  rose  calmly  from  his  seat  and 
said — 

"  Soldiers,  shed  no  blood ;  let  us 
finish  our  prayer, — the  worst  of  men 
after  condemnation  are  suffered  to 
pray, — ye  will,  therefore,  not  surely 
refuse  hannless  Christians  the  boon 
that  is  alloo't  to  malefactors.  At  the 
conclusion  I  will  go  peaceably  with  j'ou, 
for  we  .nre  not  rebels ;  wo  yield  all 
bodily  obedience  to  the  powers  that 
be,  but  the  upright  mind  will  not  bend 
to  any  earthly  ordinance.  Our  bodies 
aro  subject  to  the  King's  authority, 
and  to  you  as  his  serv.ints,  if  ye  de- 
mand them,  wo  are  ready  to  deliver 
them  up." 

But  the  sergeant  told  him  harshly 
to  make  haste  and  come  down  from 
the  cart.  Two  of  the  men  tiien  went 
into  the  house,  and  brought  out  the 
churn  and  bread  and  cheese,  and  with 
much  ribaldry  began  to  eat  and  drink. 
In  the  meantime,  Znchariah  Sniylie 
had  gone  to  tho  stable  and  saddled  his 
horse,  and  Kebeoca  Armour  had  made 


a  small  providing  of  provisions  for  Mr 
Swinton  to  take  with  him  to  the  tol- 
booth  of  Irvine ;  for  thither  the  sol- 
diers were  intending  to  carry  him  that 
night,  in  order  that  he  might  be  sent 
to  Glasgow  next  day  with  other  suf- 
ferers. When,  however,  the  Jiorso 
was  brought  out,  and  the  godly  man 
was  preparing  to  mount,  the  sergeant 
took  him  by  the  sleeve,  and  pulled  him 
back,  saying,  "The  horse  is  for  me." 

Verily  at  this  insult  I  thought  my 
heart  would  have  leapt  out ;  and  every 
one  present  gurled  and  growled  ;  but 
the  soldiers  laughed  at  seeing  the  ser- 
geant on  horseback.  Mr  Swinton, 
however,  calmly  advised  us  to  make 
no  obstacle:  "  Good,"  said  he,  "will 
come  of  this,  and  though  for  a  season 
we  are  ordained  to  tribulation,  and  to 
toil  through  the  slough  of  despond, 
yet  a  firm  footing  and  a  fair  and  green 
path  lies  in  a  peaceful  land  beyond." 

The  soldiers  then  took  him  away, 
the  blasphemous  sergeant  riding,  like 
a  Merry  Andrew,  on  Zachariah  Sniy- 
lie's  horse  before  them,  and  almost 
the  whole  congregation  following  with 
mournful  and  heavy  hearts. 


CIIAPTEK   XVII. 

The  testimony  of  tho  regard  and  re- 
spect which  we  showed  to  Mr  Swinton 
in  following  him  to  the  prison-door 
was  wickedly  reported  against  us  as  a 
tumult  and  a  riot,  wearing  the  aspect 
of  rebellion  ;  and  accordingly,  on  the 
second  day  aft(  r  he  was  sent  from  Ir- 
vine to  Glasgow,  a  gang  of  Turner's 
worst  troopers  came  to  live  at  heck 
and  manger  among  us.  None  suffered 
more  from  those  ruthle.'^s  men  1  !ian  did 
my  brother's  house  and  mine ;  for  our 
name  was  honoured  among  the  true 
and  faithful,  and  we  had  committed 
the  unpardonable  gin  against  tho  pre- 
lacy of  harbouriug  our  minister  and 


128 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


his  destitute  family,  wlien  tlioy  were 
driven  from  tlieir  homo  iii  .1  wild  and 
wintry  night. 

We  were  both,  tosfctlicr  Avitli  okl 
Zachariah  Smylie,  fined  cacli  in  a 
heavy  sum. 

Thinking  that  by  paying  tlie  money 
down  we  should  rid  ourselves  and  our 
neighbours  of  the  presence  and  bur- 
den of  the  devouring  soldiery,  our 
friends,  to  enable  us,  made  a  gather- 
ing among  them,  and  brought  us  the 
means,  for  we  bad  not  a  sufiiciency  of 
our  own.  But  this,  instead  of  miti- 
gating the  oppression,  became  a  reason 
with  the  officer  set  over  us  to  pcrso- 
cute  us  still  more  ;  for  he  pretended  to 
see  in  that  neighbourliness  the  evi- 
dences of  a  treasonous  combination, 
ao  that  he  not  only  took  the  money, 
but  made  a  pretext  of  the  readiness 
with  winch  it  was  paid  to  double  liis 
Beverity.  Sixteen  domineering  camp 
reprobates  were  quartered  on  four 
honest  families,  and  five  of  them  were 
on  mine. 

What  an  example  their  conduct 
and  conversation  was  at  my  sober 
hearth,  I  need  not  attempt  to  de- 
scribe. 

But  notwithstanding  all  the  im- 
moral bravery  of  the  rampant  soldiery, 
and  especially  of  Swaby,  tlieir  liber- 
tine commander,  they  had  not  been 
long  among  us  till  it  was  discerned 
that  they  were  as  much  under  the 
common  fears  and  superstitions  as  the 
most  credulous  of  our  simple  country 
folk,  in  so  much  that  what  with  our 
family  devotions  and  the  tales  of 
witches  and  warlocks  with  whicli 
every  one,  as  if  by  concert,  delighted 
to  awe  them,  they  were  loth  to  stir 
out  of  their  quarters  after  the  gloam- 
ing. Swaby,  however,  though  less 
under  those  influences  than  his  men, 
nevertheless  partook  largely  of  them, 
and  would  not  at  the  King's  com- 
mands, it  was  thought,  have  crossed 
the  kirk-stile  at  midnight. 


But  though  he  was  thus  infirm 
with  the  dread  of  evil  spirits,  ho  was 
not  daunted  tlioroby  from  ill  pur- 
poses ;  and  having  ono  day  falk'U  in 
with  old  Mysio  (Jilmour  on  the  road, 
a  pawkie  carlin  of  a  jocose  natin-o,  ho 
entered  into  a  blethering  disoour.so 
with  her  anent  divers  tilings,  and 
from  less  to  more,  propounded  to 
lionest  jNIysie  that  she  should  lend  a 
cast  of  her  skill  to  bring  about  a 
secret  meeting  between  him  and 
Martha  Swinton,  the  minister's  eldest 
daughter. 

Mysie  Gilmour  was  a  Christian 
woman,  and  her  soul  was  troubled 
with  the  proposal.  But  she  put  on 
the  mask  of  a  light  hypocrisy,  and 
said  she  would  maybe  do  something  if 
he  fee'd  her  well,  making  a  tryst  with 
him  for  the  day  following ;  purposing 
in  the  meanwhile  to  devise,  with  the 
counselling  of  some  of  her  acquaint- 
ances, in  what  manner  she  could  take 
revenge  upon  him. 

Among  others  that  she  conferred 
with  was  one  Itobin  Finnic,  a  lad  wiio, 
when  a  callan,  had  been  drummer  to 
the  host  that  Nahum  Ciiapelrig  led 
in  the  time-;  of  the  Civil  War  to  the 
raid  of  Dunse-liill.  llo  was  sib  to 
herself,  had  a  spice  of  her  pawkric, 
and  was  moreover,  though  not  with- 
out a  leavening  of  religion,  a  fellow 
fain  at  any  time  for  a  spree  ;  besides 
whicli  he  had,  from  the  campaigns  of 
his  youth,  brought  home  a  }i(;art- 
liatred  and  a  derisive  opinion  of  tho 
cavaliers,  taking  all  seasons  and  occa- 
sions to  give  vent  to  the  same,  and  ho 
never  called  Swaby  by  any  other 
name  than  the  cavalier. 

Between  Mysie  and  Robin,  with 
some  of  his  companions,  a  paction 
was  made  that  she  should  keep  her 
tryst  with  Swaby,  and  settle  on  a  time 
and  place  for  him  to  come,  Robin 
covenanting  that  between  him  .and  his 
friends  the  cavalier  should  meet  with  a 
disappointment.    Accordingly,  at  tho 


jca 
tent 


Ilea 

the 

tha 

wis| 

her 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


129 


infirm 
Ik;  was 


roiid, 
lire,  lio 

iCOUVHO 


time  appointed,  when  she  met  Swaby 
on  the  road  wliero  they  had  fore- 
patliercd  the  day  before,  slio  trystcd 
him  to  coino  to  her  house  on  Hallow- 
e'en, which  happened  to  bo  then  at 
liand,  and  to  be  sure  no  to  bring  liis 
Bword,  or  any  weapon  that  might 
breed  mischief. 

After  parting  from  him,  the  cava- 
lier going  one  way  and  the  carlin  the 
otlier,  Robin  Finnic  threw  himself  in 
lii.s  way,  and  going  up  to  him  with  a 
Beemiiig  respectfulness,  said — 

"  Yc  were  speaking,  sir,  to  yon 
auld  wife ;  I  hope  yo  hae  gi'en  her 
nao  offence." 

TJie  look  with  which  Robin  looked 
ftt  Swaby,  as  he  said  this,  dismayed 
the  gallant  cavalier,  who  halted,  and 
looked  towards  the  old  woman,  who 
was  then  nearly  out  of  sight.  Robin 
at  the  same  time  moved  onward. 

"Friend!"  cried  the  cavalier, 
*'  stop.  I  nmst  have  some  talk  with 
you  about  the  old  woman." 

"  Whisht !  "  exclaimed  Robin, 
*'  she's  very  gleg  o'  the  hearing.  I 
would  na  for  twenty  merks  she 
jealoused  that  I  had  telt  you  to  take 
tent  o'  her  cantrips." 

"Do  you  mean  to  say  that  she's  a 
witch  ?  "  said  Swaby  in  a  low  and 
apprehensive  voice. 

"  I  would  na  say  sic  a  thing  o'  her 
for  the  world,"  replied  Robin  very 
seriously;  "I  would  ne'er  expek  to 
hae  a  prosperous  hour  in  this  world 
were  I  to  ca'  honest  Mysie  Gilmour 
ony  thing  sae  imcanny.  She's  a  pious 
wife,  sir — deed  she  is.  Me  ca'  her  a 
witcli !  She  would  deserve  to  be 
hang'd  if  she  was  a  witch — an'  it 
could  be  proven  upon  her." 

But  these  assurances  gave  no 
heartening  to  the  gallant  cavalier ;  on 
the  contrary,  he  looked  like  one 
that  was  perplexed,  and  said,  "I 
wish  I  had  had  nothing  to  do  with 
her." 

Jo  which  Robiu  replied :  ''  Mind 


what  I  hae  been  saying,  keep  wecl  wi' 
her,  as  ye  respck  yoursel'." 

In  saying  these  words  Robin  turned 
hastily  into  the  wynd  that  led  to  the 
clachan,  laughing  in  his  sleeve,  leav- 
ing the  brave  cavalier  in  a  sore  state 
o'  dread  and  wonderment. 

It  seems  that  shortly  after  Robin 
Finnic  had  departed  from  the  gallant 
cavalier,  a  lad,  called  Sandy  ^lacgill, 
who  was  colleagued  with  him  in  the 

f)lot,  came  towards  the  captain  with 
ooks  cast  to  the  earth,  and  so  full  of 
thought,  that  ho  seemingly  noticed 
nothing.  Going  forward  in  this 
locked-up  state  6i  the  outward  sense, 
ho  came  close  upon  Swaby,  when, 
afTectiiig  to  be  startled  out  of  hia 
meditations,  he  stopped  suddenly 
short,  and  looked  in  the  lieutenant's 
broad  face,  with  all  the  alarm  he  could 
put  into  his  own  features,  till  he  saw 
ho  was  frightened  out  of  his  judg- 
ment, when  lie  said — 

"  Gudo  be  about  us,  sir,  ye  hae 
gotten  scaith ;  the  blighting  blink  o' 
an  ill  e'e  has  lighted  upon  you. — O, 
sir !  O,  sir !  tak  tent  o'  yoursel'  I  " 

Sandy  had  prepared  a  deal  more 
to  say,  but  finding  himself  overcome 
with  an  inward  inclination  to  risibility 
at  the  sight  of  Swaby's  terrification, 
he  was  obligated  to  flee  as  fast  as  he 
could  from  the  spot ;  tlie  which  wild-  . 
like  action  of  his  no  doubt  dismayed 
the  cavalier  fully  as  meikle  as  all  ho 
had  said. 

But  notwithstanding  all  their 
mystical  admonitions,  Swaby  still 
persevered  in  his  purpose,  and  ac- 
cordingly he  was  seen  lurking,  without 
his  sword,  about  the  heel  of  the  even- 
ing, on  Hallowe'en,  near  the  skirts  of 
the  clachan  where  Mysio  Gilmour 
lived.  And,  as  it  had  been  conspired 
among  her  friends,  Mungo  Affleck,  her 
gude-brother,  a  man  weel  stricken  in 
years,  but  of  a  youthy  mind,  and  a 
perfect  pen-gun  at  a  crack,  came 
across  the  cavalier  iu  his  path,  and 


130 


RINaAN  GILTTATZK. 


Swnby  liaving  before  ponic  sliglit  no- 
qiiaintanco  with  hi.;  garb  and  canny 
observes,  hoNorcd  for  a  littlo  in  di.s- 
course  with  Muniro 


"  I  counsel  you,  sir,"  said  tlie 
pnwiiio  ankl  carl  as  tlioy  were  separat- 
ing, "  no  to  gnnj,'  far  afield  tliis  niglit, 
for  this  is  a  iiigiit  that  tlierc  is  na  the 
like  o'  in  tlic  year  round.  Tt'.s  Hallow- 
e'en, sir,  so  bo  counselled  by  me,  and 
seek  your  lianie  betimes  ;  for  niony  a 
nne  has  met  with  tliinj,'3  on  Hallow- 
e'en that  thoy  neA'er  after  forfjot." 

Considering  the  exploit  on  wiiieh 
the  cavalier  wa.s  tlipn  boMno,  it's  no 
to  bo  thouglit  that  tlii.s  Avas  very 
hoartenintf  niutiic  ;  but  for  all  tliat,  lie 
said  blytliely,  as  !Mungo  toM  me  him- 
self, *'  Niiy,  not  so  f;ist,  frovernor, 
tell  us  what  you  mean  by  Hallowe'en!"' 

"  Hallowe'en  !  "  cried  Munyo  Af- 
fleck, with  a  sound  o'  serious  sincerity; 
"  Do  yo  no  ken  Hallowe'en?  but  1 
necdna  say  that.  Ye'll  excuse  me, 
captain — what  can  you  Englishers, 
that  arc  brought  up  in  the  darkne.^s  o' 
liuman  ordinances  in  go.spel  things, 
and  Avho  live  in  the  tliraldom  of  epis- 
copalian ignorance,  ken  o'  Jiallow- 
e'en,  or  o'  any  other  solemn  day .  set 
apart  for  an  occasion. — O,  sir.  Hal- 
lowe'en among  us  is  a  dreadfvi'  night ! 
witches  and  warlocks,  and  a'  lang- 
iiebbit  things,  hae  a  power  and  a 
dominion  unspeakable  on  Hallowe'en. 
The  de'il  at  other  thnes  gi'es,  it's  said, 
his  agents  a  mutchkin  o'  mischief,  but 
on  this  night  it's  thought  they  hae  a 
chappin  ;  and  one  tiling  most  demon- 
strable is  ; — but,  sir,  the  sun's  down 
— the  blessed  light  o'  day  isayont  the 
hill,  and  it's  no  safe  to  be  subjek  to 
the  whisking  o'  the  mildew  frae  the 
tails  o'  the  benwood  ponies  that  are 
saddled  for  yon  awfu'  carnavauling.s, 
where  Cluty  plays  on  the  pipes !  so  T 
wis  you,  sir,  gude  night  and  weel 
hnme. — O,  sir,  an  ye  could  bo  per- 
suaded ! — Tak  an  auld  man's  advice, 
and  rather  read  a  chapter  of  xiii: 


IJooK,  an  it  should  even  bo  tlie  un- 
edifying  tenth  of  Nehemiah,  tlian  bo 
seen  at  the  gloaming  in  tlii.s  gait, 
about  the  dyke-sides." 

Mungo  having  thus  delivered  him- 
self, went  away,  leaving  Swaby  ns  it 
were  in  a  switiier  :  but  after  the  dusk 
Jiad  closed  in,  when  the  angels  had 
lighted  their  candles  at  tlieir  windows 
in  the  sky,  to  watch  over  the  world 
in  the  hears  of  sleep,  Swaby,  with 
stealthy  steps,  came  to  Alysie  {Jil- 
mour's  door,  and  sofily  tirling  at  tlie 
pin  was  admitted  ;  for  all  within  wa.s 
really  for  his  reception. 

liobin  Finnic  and  Snndy  Macgill 
having  carried  thither  Zacliariaii 
Smylie's  black  ram,  a  condumacious 
and  out.stropolous  beast,  which  they 
had  laid  in  Mysie's  bed,  and  keejiit 
frac  hawing  witli  a  gude  fothering 
of  kail-blades  and  a  clouto  soaken 
iu  milk. 

jNIysie.  on  opening  the  door,  said 
to  the  gallant  civalier — 

"Just  step  in,  ye'll  fm'  a'  ready," 
and  she  blew  out  her  crusio  wliicli 
.she  had  in  her  hand,  and  lotting  the 
captain  grojje  iu  by  himself,  hirpled 
as  fast  as  she  could  to  one  of  the 
neighbours ;  for,  although  she  had 
covenanted  with  him  to  come  without 
his  sword,  she  was  terrified  with  the 
fear  of  some  dreadful  upshot. 

As  soon  as  he  was  in,  llobin  Finnio 
and  Sandy  Macgill  went  and  hearkened 
at  the  window,  where  they  heard  the 
gay  gallant  stumbling  in  the  floor,  as 
ho  went  groping  his  way  towards  the 
bed  where  the  auhl  toop  was  breatiiing 
thickly,  mumbling  and  crunchuig  the 
kail-blades  in  a  state  of  as  great  de- 
light and  satisfaction  as  any  bea.st 
could  well  be.  But  no  sooner  had  the 
cavalier  placed  his  hand  on  the  horned 
head  of  the  creature,  than  he  uttered 
a  yell  of  despair ;  in  the  same  moment 
the  toop,  iu  littlo  less  friglit,  jumpifc 
out  of  the  bed  against  him  and 
knocked  him  down  over  a  stool  with 


llINCiAN  GILIIAIZK. 


131 


a  lounder.  'I'lic  ram  recovering'  its 
BcnHCH  bt'foro  tlic  cavalier,  and  beiiij,' 
in  dread  of  danger,  returned  to  the 
dinrge,  and  began  to  butt  hini  aw  if 
it  would  liavo  been  his  deatli.  'J  lie 
cries  that  nsued  are  not  to  bo  told  ; 
uU  the  neighbours  came  running  to 
tlio  door,  to  sec  what  was  the  matter, 
Komo  with  lighted  sticks  in  tlieii 
liiinds,  and  some  with  burning  coals 
in  tiio  tongs.  IJobin  Finnio  and 
Sandy  Macgill  were  like  to  die  witli 
liiugliing ;  but  fearing  tlic  wrathful 
liim  might  kno6k  out  the  bowels  or 
the  brains,  if  he  had  any,  of  the  poor 
young  cavalier,  they  opened  the  door 
and  so  delivered  him  from  its  horns. 
He  was,  however,  by  tiiis  time,  almost 
in  a  state  of  distraction,  believing 
the  Ijcast  was  the  real  Evil  One;  so 
tliat  ho  no  sooner  felt  himself  free 
anil  saw  tiio  lights,  than  he  flew  to 
liis  quarters  as  if  he  had  been  pur- 
sued by  a  legion. 

Some  of  his  own  soldiers  that  were 
lying  in  the  clachan,  and  who  had 
come  out  with  the  rest  of  tiie  folk, 
saw  through  the  stratagem,  and,  for- 
gf-tting  all  reverence  for  their  afllicted 
commander,  laughed  louder  and 
longer  than  anybody.  In  short,  the 
story  was  o'er  the  whole  parish  next 
day,  and  the  very  weans,  v/herovcr 
tlic  cavalier  appeared,  used  to  cry 
])a  at  him,  by  which  his  very  life 
was  made  a  shame  and  a  burden  to 
him,  insomuoh  that  he  applied  for 
leave  to  give  up  his  commission,  and 
returned  home  to  his  kindred  in  the 
south  of  England,  and  we  never 
heard  tell  of  him  after. 

But  although  in  the  exploit  of 
Mysie  Gilmour  and  llobin  Finnic 
with  his  confederates,  M'c  had  a  tast- 
ing of  mirth  and  merriment,  to  the 
clfect  of  lessening  the  driad  and  fear 
in  which  our  simple  country-folk  held 
his  Majesty's  ungracious  fine-levers, 
the  cavalier  captains  and  soldiers,  still 
there  was  a  gradual  iugroAvtli  of  the 


weight  of  the  o]»pre8sion,  wherewith 
we  were  laden  more  as  bondtnien  and 
slaves  than  as  subjects;   and,  in  the 
meantime,  the  spirit  of  that  piitriarch, 
my  apostolic  grandfather,  was  gather- 
ing to  heart  and  energy  within  the 
silent  recesses  of  my  afllicted  bosom. 
I  heard  the  murmuring,  deep  and 
sad,  (if  my  ncigiihour.s,  at  the  insult 
and  the  contumely  wliich  they  wcro 
obligated   to   endure  from   the  irre- 
sponsible   recklessness    of     military 
domination,— but  I  said  nothing;  I 
was  driven,  with  my  pious  wife  and 
our    simple    babies,    fmm    my   own 
hearth   by  the    coiivorsation   of  tlie 
commissioned  freebooters,  and  obli- 
gated to  njake  our  home  in  an  out- 
Iiouso,  that  we  might  not  be  molested 
in  our  prayers  by  their  Avickedjiess, — 
but  I  said  notiiing  ;   I  saw  my  honest; 
neighbours     plundered,     and     their 
children  insulted, — but  I  said  nothing ; 
I  Avas    a  witness    when    our    godly 
minister,   after  having    been   driven 
with  his  wife  and  family  out  to  the 
mercy  of  the  winter's  wind,  Mas  seized 
in  the  very  time  while  ho  was  wor- 
shipping the  Midcer  of  us  all,  and 
taken  like  a  malefactor  to  pri.son, — - 
but  I  said  nothing;  and  I  Avas  told 
the  story  of  the  machinations  against 
his  daughter, — and  still  I  said  nothing. 
Like  the  icy  winter,  tyranny  hud  so 
iucrusted  my  soul,  that  my  taciturnity 
seemed  as  hard,  impenetrable,  cold, 
and  cruel,  as  the  frozen  river's  sur- 
face, but  the  stream  of  my  feelings 
ran  stronger  and  fiercer  beneath  ;  and 
the  time  soon  came  Avhen,  in  propor- 
tioii  to  the  still  apathy  that  made  my 
brother  and  my  friends   to  wonder 
how  I  so  quietly  bore  the  events  of  so 
much,    my    inward    struggles    burst 
through   all   outward  jKissive  forms, 
and,  like  the  hurling  and  the  drifting 
ice,  found  no  effectual  obstacle  to  its 
irresistible  and  natural  destination. 

LIrs  Swintou,  the  Avorthy  lady  of 
that   saiut,  our  pastor,   ou  hearing 


132 


RTNGAN  GTLHATZE. 


what  liad  been  plotted  against  lier 
child,  came  to  me,  and  very  earnestly 
entreated  of  me  that  1  ■would  take  the 
gentle  Martlia  to  lier  cousin,  tlie 
Laird  of  Gavlin's,  in  Dumfriesshire, 
she  having  heard  that  some  intro- 
missions, arising  out  of  pacts  and 
covenants  between  my  wife's  cousin 
and  the  Laird  of  Barscob,  obligated 
me  to  go  tliither.  Tliis  was  on  the 
Alonday  after  tiie  battering  that  the 
cavalier  got  from  Zachariaii  Smylie's 
black  ram ;  and  I,  reasonably  tiiiuking 
tiiat  there  was  judgment  in  the  re- 
quest, and  tliat  1  might  serve,  by  my 
compliance,  the  lielpless  residue,  and 
the  objects  of  a  persecuted  Christian's 
affections,  I  consented  to  take  the 
damsel  with  me  as  far  as  Garlin's,  in 
Galloway ;  the  Avhich  I  did. 

AVIien  I  had  left  !Martha  Swinton 
with  Iier  friends,  I  went  to  the  end  of 
my  own  j.iurncy,  and  here,  from  wliat 
ensued,  it  is  nceilful  that  I  should  re- 
late that,  in  this  undertaking,  I  left 
my  own  house  under  the  care  of  my 
brother,  and  that  I  was  armed  with 
my  grandfather's  sword. 

It  liappcned  that,  on  Tuesday  the 
13th  November,  IGGU,  as  I  was  re- 
turning homeward  from  IJarscob,  I 
fell  in  with  three  godly  countrymen, 
about  a  mile  youtli  of  the  village  of 
Dairy,  in  Galloway,  and  Ave  entered 
into  a  holy  and  most  salutary  conver- 
sation anent  the  sufferings  and  tiie 
fortitude  of  God's  people  in  that  time 
of  trouble.  ])iscoursing  with  great 
sobriety  on  that  melancholious  tlwme, 
wo  !net  a  gang  of  Turner's  black- 
cu.fY.-.,  driving  before  them,  like  beasts 
to  the  slaugiitor,  several  miserable 
persons  to  thrash  out  the  corn,  that 
it  migiit  bo  sold,  of  one  of  my  com- 
panions, who,  being  himself  a  perse- 
cuted man,  nnd  unal)le  to  ]iay  the  fine 
forfeited  by  his  piety,  luul  some  days 
before  been  forced  to  ilee  his  iiousc. 

On  seeing  the  soldiers  and  tiieir 
prey  coming  toward  ua,  the  poor  man 


would  have  run  away,  but  we  exhorted 
him  not  to  be  afraid,  for  ho  might 
pass  unnoticed,  and  so  ho  did  ;  for, 
althougli  those  whom  the  military  ra- 
biators  were  driving  to  thrash  his 
corn  knew  him  well,  they  were  en- 
abled to  bear  up.  and  were  so  endowed 
with  the  strength  of  martyrdom,  that 
each  of  them,  only  by  a  look,  signified 
that  tliey  were  in  the  spirit  of  fellow- 
ship witli  him. 

After  they  had  gone  by,  his  heart, 
however,  was  so  afllicted  that  so  many 
wortiiy  persons  should  bo  so  harmed 
for  his  sake,  that  he  turned  back, 
and,  in  despite  of  all  our  entreaties, 
went  to  them,  while  we  went  forward 
to  Dairy,  wiiere  we  entered  a  small 
public,  and,  having  ordered  some  re- 
freshment (for  we  were  all  weary), 
we  sat  meditating  on  wliat  could  bo 
the  upshot  of  such  tyranny. 

While  we  were  .so  fitting,  a  cry 
got  up  that  our  companion  was  seized 
by  tlie  soldiers,  and  that  they  were 
tormenting  liim  on  a  red-hot  gridiron 
for  not  having  paid  his  fine. 

My  blood  boiled  at  tlie  news.  1 
rose,  and  those  wlio  were  with  mo 
followed,  and  wo  ran  to  the  house — 
his  own  liouse — wliere  the  poor  man 
wa.s.  I  beseeched  two  of  the  soldiers 
wiio  were  .at  tiio  door  to  desist  from 
tiieir  cruelty  ;  but  wiiile  I  was  speak- 
ing, other  two  that  were  witliin  camo 
raging  out,  like  curs  from  a  kennel, 
andfli'w  at  me,  and  one  of  them  dared 
to  strike  me  with  iiis  nievo  in  tiio 
mouth.  My  grandfather's  sword  flew 
out  at  the  blow,  and  the  insulier  lay 
wounded  and  bleeding  at  my  feet. 
My  companions  iu  tlie  same  moment 
rushed  on  tiic  other  soldiers,  dasiied 
their  teeth  down  their  tliroats,  and, 
twisting  their  firelocks  from  their 
hands,  set  the  prisoners  free. 

Li  this  tliere  was  rashness,  but 
tliere  was  also  redemption  and  glory. 
Wo  could  not  stop  at  wiiat  wo  had 
done.    Wo  ciUled  ou  those  who  had 


nmOAN  GlLHATZT):, 


Ids 


lic'cii  broui;lit  to  thrash  tlie  corn  to 
join  witli  iiR,  and  thoy  joined  ;  -vve 
JiastLiied  to  tlio  m-xt  farm — the  spirit 
of  in(hVnation  was  tlicrc  before  ns — 
and  master  and  man,  and  father  and 
pon,  tliere  likewise  found  that  tlie 
liilts  of  tiieir  fatliers'  covenanted 
swords  fitted  tlieir  avenging  grasps. 
>Ve  liad  now  fired  the  dry  stubble  of 
tlio  land— the  flame  spread — we  ad- 
vanced, and  grew  stronger  and 
stronger.  'I'lie  hills,  as  it  were,  clapped 
their  hands,  and  the  valleys  shouted 
of  freedom.  From  all  sides  men  and 
iior.se  came  exulting  towards  us  :  the 
gentleman  and  the  hind  knew  no  dis- 
tinction. Tlio  cry  wai^,  "  Down  with 
tyranny — we  are  and  we  Avill  make 
free!"  The  fields  rejoiced  witli  the 
multitude  of  our  feet  as  wo  advanced 
toward.-i  Dumfries,  where  Turner  lay. 
His  black-cufTs  flung  down  their 
arms  and  implored  our  mercy.  AVe 
entered  Dumfries,  and  the  Oppressor 
was  our  prisoner. 


CHAPTER  XVIir. 

ITiTiii;UTO  the  rising  at  Dairy  had  been 
as  a  passion  and  a  fii)reading  fire. 
Tiie  strength  of  t^ie  soMiers  Mas  con- 
sumed before  us,  and  their  arms  be- 
came our  weapons  ;  but  when  we  had 
gained  possession  of  Dumfries,  and 
had  set  a  ward  over  the  house  where 
we  had  seized  Turner,  I  saw  that  we 
had  waded  owrc  far  into  the  river  to 
think  of  returning,  and  that  to  go  on 
was  safer  tiian  to  come  back.  It  was 
indeed  manifest  that  we  had  been 
triui'.ipliant  rather  by  our  liaste  than 
by  the  achievements  of  victorious 
l)attle  ;  and  it  could  be  hidden  from 
no  man's  thought  that  the  power  and 
tlio  vengeance  both  of  the  govern- 
ment and  the  prelacy  would  soon  be 
set  in  array  against  us.  I  tiierefore 
bethought  myself,  in  that  peril  of  our 
lives  and  cause,  of  two  things  which 


seemed  most  needful :  First,  not  to 
falter  in  our  enterprise  until  we  had 
proved  the  utmost  of  the  Lord's 
pleasure  in  our  behalf;  and,  second, 
to  use  the  means  under  Him  which, 
in  all  human  undertakings,  are  re- 
quired to  bring  whatsoever  is  ordained 
to  pass. 

Whether  in  these  things  I  did  well 
or  wisely  I  have  to  the  adjudication 
of  the  courteous  reader;  but  I  can 
lay  my  hand  upon  my  heart,  and  say 
aloud,  yea,  even  to  the  holy  skies, 
"  I  thought  not  of  myself  nor  of 
mine,  but  only  of  the  rel'gious  rights 
of  my  sorely-oppressed  countrymen." 

From  the  moment  in  which  I  re- 
ceived the  blow  of  the  soldier  up  till 
the  hour  when  Turner  was  taken,  I 
had  been  the  head  and  leader  of  the 
people.  ]\Iy  sword  was  never  out  of 
my  grip,  and  I  marched  as  it  were  ia 
a  path  of  light,  so  wonderful  was  the 
immediate  instinct  with  which  1  M'as 
directed  to  the  accomplishment  of 
that  adventure,  the  success  of  which 
overwhelmed  the  fierce  and  cruel' 
Anticlirists  at  Edinburgh  with  un- 
speakable consternation  and  panic. 
But  I  lacked  that  knowledge  of  tho 
art  of  war  by  which  men  are  banded 
into  companies  and  ruled,  however 
manifold  their  diversities,  to  one  end 
and  effect,  so  that  our  numbers  hav- 
ing by  this  time  increased  to  a  great 
multitude,  I  felt  myself  utterly  unablo 
to  govern  tliem.  We  Avere  as  a  sea 
of  billows,  tl'.r.t  move  onward  all  iu 
one  way,  obedient  to  the  impulse  and 
deep  fetch ings  of  the  tempestuoua 
breath  of  tho  awakened  winds  of 
heaven,  but  which  often  break  into 
foam,  and  waste  their  force  iu  a  roar 
of  ineffectual  rage. 

Seeing  this,  and  dreading  the  con- 
sequences thereof,  I  conferral  with 
some  of  those  whom  I  had  obs-  ved 
tho  most  discreet  and  consideraie  in 
the  course  of  the  raid,  and  we  camo 
to  a  resolve  to  constitute  and  appoint 


134 


illNGAN  GILHATZE. 


Captain  Learmont  our  chief  com- 
mander, be  having  earned  an  experi- 
ence of  tlie  art  and  stratagems  of  war 
under  the  renowned  Lesley.  Had  we 
abided  by  that  determination,  some 
have  thought  our  expedition  might 
have  come  to  a  happier  issue  ;  but  no 
human  lielps  and  means  could  change 
what  was  evidently  ordained  other- 
wise. It  happened,  however,  tiiat 
Colonel  Wallace,  another  officer  of 
some  repute,  also  joined  us,  and  his 
name  made  him  bright  and  resplen- 
dent to  our  enthusiiism.  While  we 
weie  deliberating  whom  to  choose  for 
our  leader,  Colonel  A\'allace  was  in 
the  Bame  breath,  for  his  namo's  sake, 
ju'oposed,  and  was  miited  in  tlie  com- 
mand with  Loarmoiil.  Thi.s  wa;^  a 
deadly  error,  and  ou^ht  in  all  time 
coming  to  be  a  warning  and  an  ad- 
monition to  people  a\h\  nations  in 
their  straits  and  diflicultics,  never  to 
be  guided,  in  the  weighty  shocks  and 
controversies  of  disordered  fortunes, 
by  any  prejudice  or  affection  so  un- 
substantial as  the  eclio  of  an  honoured 
name.  For  this  Wallace,  though  a 
man  of  questionless  bravery,  and  a 
gentleman  of  good  account  among  all 
who  knew  him,  had  not  received  any 
gift  from  Nature  of  that  spirit  of 
masterdom  without  which  there  can 
be  no  connnand;  so  that  he  was  no 
sooner  appointed  to  lead  us  on,  with 
Learniout  as  his  second,  than  his  mind 
fell  into  a  strange  confusion,  and  ho 
heightened  disorder  into  anarchy  by 
ordering  over  much.  Wo  could  not, 
however,  undo  tlie  evil,  without  vio- 
lating tiie  disci jiline  that  we  were  all 
conscious  our  furces  so  grievously 
Jacked ;  but,  from  the  very  moment 
that  I  saw  in  what  manner  he  took 
upon  him  the  conmiand,  I  augured  of 
nothing  but  disaster. 

Learmont  was  a  collected  and  an 
urbane  character,  and  did  much  to 
temper  and  turn  aside  the  thriftless 
ordinances  of  his  superior,    lie,  sec- 


ing  how  much  our  prosperity  was  de- 
pendent on  the  speed  with  which  wo 
could  reach  Edinburgh,  hastened  for- 
ward everything  with  such  alacrity 
that  we  were  ready  on  the  morrow  by 
mid-day  to  set  out  from  Dumfries. 
But  the  element  of  discord  was  now 
in  our  cause,  and  I  was  reproached  by 
many  for  having  abdicated  my  natural 
right  to  the  command.  It  was  in  vain 
that  I  tried  to  redeem  tlie  fadfc  by 
taking  part  with  LearmcTt,  u  'cr  the 
determination,  when  tie  b^1' •  .'our 
of  defeat  or  dismay  shoun,  oo  .1.;  iipon 
us,  to  take  my  stand  witli  liim,  and, 
regardless  of  'Wallace,  to  consider  him 
as  the  chief  and  champion  of  our 
covenanted  liberties,  but  why  do  I 
dwell  on  these  intents?  Let  me 
ha.--ten  to  describe  the  upshot  of  our 
enterprise. 

As  soon  as  we  had  formed,  in  tho 
manner  herein  related,  something 
like  a  head  and  council  for  ourselves, 
we  considered,  before  leaving  Dum- 
fries, what  ought  to  be  done  witii 
General  Turner,  and  ordered  him  to 
be  brouj,'ht  before  us  ;  for  those  who 
had  .suffered  from  iiis  fell  orders  and 
brutal  soldiery  were  clamorous  for  hi- 
blood.  But  when  the  man  was  brougli' 
in,  he  was  so  manift^stly  mastered  '  v 
his  wine,  as  his  vice  often  made  him, 
that  wo  thought  it  would  be  as  it 
were  to  ask  a  man  mad,  or  possessed, 
to  account  for  his  actions,  as  at  that 
time  to  put  the  frantic  drunkard  on 
his  defence ;  so  we  heeded  not  hia 
obstreperous  menaces,  but  ordered 
him  to  be  put  into  bod,  and  his  papers 
to  be  searched  for  and  laid  before  us. 

In  this  moderation  there  was  wis- 
dom, for,  by  dealing  so  g'mtly  hv  'o 
who  had  proved  himself  so  ruth;  -i; '. 
agent  of  the  prolatic  aggressions,  \ 
bespoke  the  good  opinion  even  01 
many  among  our  adversaries ;  and  in 
the  end  it  hnjv-idc  proved  a  meiisuro 
of  j;.scice  as  veil  as  of  merty.  For, 
0)1  (,xiunini!»g  hi    pajjcrs,  it  ai)pearcd 


I 


wl 

f.( 

iie 

on 

th 

one 

hoi 

in 

no.' 

brol 


dee 

the 

the 

coy 

of 

of 

we 

yon 

tha 

wl 


illNGAN  GILTIAIZE. 


i35 


I 


¥■■ 


that  pitiless  as  his  domineering  had 
been,  it  Avas  far  sliort  of  the  universal 
cruelty  of  his  instructions  from  the 
apostiite  James  Sharp,  and  those  in 
the  council  with  him,  who  had  de- 
livered themselves  over  as  instruments 
to  the  arbitrary  prerogatives  rnid  tyran- 
nous pretensions  of  the  court.  AVe 
tlieref  or e  resolved  to  proceed  no  f  arth  or 
against  him,  but  to  keej)  him  as  an 
hostage  in  our  hands.  Many,  how- 
ever, among  tlie  commonalty  com- 
plained of  our  lenity;  for  they  !iad 
endured  in  their  persons,  their  gear, 
and  tlieir  families,  great  severities ; 
and  tiiey  grudged  that  he  was  not 
obligated  to  taste  tiie  bittcrne.ss  of  tiu; 
cu|)  of  whieli  Ite  had  forced  them  to 
diiidc  so  deeply. 

In  tlie  meantime  all  t!io  country 
became  alive  widi  the  ne\v.i  of  our  I'x- 
jdoit.  Tiie  Covenanters  of  tlie  shire 
of  Ayr,  headed  by  several  of  their 
ejected  ministers  whom  tliey  Jiad 
clierished  in  the  solitary  dens  and 
iiidings  in  tlio  moors  ami  liills,  to 
winch  they  had  been  forced  to  lice 
from  the  proclamation  against  the 
iield-preacijings,  advanced  to  meet  us 
ou  our  marcli.  A'erily  it  Avas  a  sight 
tliat  ma<le  tlio  heart  of  man  dinle  at 
<)n(!e  with  gladness  ,ind  sorrow  to  be- 
hold, as  tiie  day  dawned  on  our  course, 
iu  crossing  tiie  wide  and  lonely  wilder- 
ness of  Ciimnock-moor.  those  religious 
brethren  coming  towards  us,  moving 
in  silence  over  the  heath,  like  the 
^...l■iowsof  tiio  slowly-sailing  clouds 
of  the  BumiiHir  sky. 

As  we  were  toiling  tlirougli  the 
deep  lieatlier  on  the  eastern  skirts  of 
the  Meiiriismnor,  a  mist  hovered  all 
tlie  morning  nver  the  pad  of  Neilston, 
covering  like  a  snowy  ileecc  the  sides 
of  the  hills  down  almost  to  the  course 
of  our  route,  in  such  a  manner  that 
we  could  see  nothing  on  the  left  be- 
yond it.  We  were  then  within  less 
than  fourteen  miles  of  (Jla-sgow, 
where  General  Dal/iel  hiy  with  the 


King's  forces,  keeping  in  thraldom 
the  godly  of  that  pious  city  and  its 
neighbourhood.  Captain  Learmont, 
well  aware,  from  the  eager  character 
of  the  man,  that  he  would  be  fain  to 
intercept  us,  and  fearfid  of  being 
drawn  into  jeopardy  by  the  mist,  per- 
suaded Wallace  to  halt  us  some  time. 

As  November  was  far  advanced, 
it  was  thought  by  the  country-folk  that 
the  mist  would  clear  away  about  noon. 
"\\"e  .accordingly  made  a  pause,  and 
sat  down  on  the  ground;  for  many  were 
weary,  having  over- fatigued  them- 
selves in  their  zeal  to  come  up  with 
the  main  body,  and  we  all  stood  in 
need  of  rest, 

Searcely,  however,  had  we  cast 
ourselves  in  a  desultory  manner  on 
the  heather,  when  some  one  heard 
tiie  thud  of  a  distant  driua  in  the 
mist,  and  gave  tlie  alarm  ;  at  which 
M'e  all  again  suddenly  started  to  our 
feet,  and  listening,  were  not  long  left 
in  doubt  of  the  sound.  Orders  were 
accordingly  given  to  ])laee  ourselves 
in  array  for  battle  ;  and  while  Ave  were 
obeying  the  conuuand  in  the  best 
manner  our  little  skill  alloAved,  the 
heating  of  the  drum  came  louder  and 
nearer,  intermingled  Avith  the  shrill 
Avar-note  of  the  spirity  fife. 

Kvery  one  naturally  thought  of  tlie 
King's  forces;  and  the  Kev.  Mr 
Semple,  seeing  that  Ave  Avere  in  some 
measure  jirepared  to  meet  them,  ste])- 
])ed  out  in  front  Avith  all  his  Avorthy 
brethren  in  the  camp,  and  liaving 
solemneezed  us  for  worship,  gaA'e  out 
a  psalm. 

By  the  lime  Ave  had  sung  the  first 
three  verses  the  drum  and  fife  sounded 
so  near,  that  1  could  discern  tliey 
played  the  tune  of  ".Tohn,  come  kiss 
me  now,"  Avhich  left  mo  in  no  doubt 
that  the  soldiers  in  the  mist  were  my 
own  friends  and  neighbours ;  for  it 
was  the  same  tune  which  Avas  played 
Avheii  the  juen  of  our  parish  Aveut  to 
the  raid  of  Dunsehill,  and  which,  iu 


136 


RTNGAN  GILHATZE. 


memorial  of  that  era,  had  been  pre- 
served as  a  sacred  melody  amongst  us. 

Being  thus  convinced,  I  stepped  out 
from  my  place  to  the  ministers,  and 
said,  "They  are  friends  that  are  com- 
ing." The  worship  was  in  conse- 
quence for  a  short  space  suspended, 
and  I  p'  xatly  after  saw  my  brother 
at  the  he    '  -ir  neighbours  com- 

ing out  of  loud  ;   whereupon  I 

went  forward     •  meet  him,  and  we 
shook  hands  sorrowfully. 

"  This  is  an  unco  thing,  Ringan," 
were  his  first  words ;  "  but  it's  the 
Lord's  will,  and  He  is  able  to  work 
out  a  great  salvation." 

I  made  no  answer ;  but  inquiring 
for  my  family,  of  whom  it  was  a 
cheering  consolation  to  hear  as  blithe 
an  account  as  could  reasonably  be 
hoped  for,  I  walked  with  him  to  our 
captains,  and  made  him  known  of 
them  as  my  brother. 

Saving  the  innocent  alarm  of  the 
drum  in  tlie  mist,  our  march  to  Lanark 
was  without  hindrance  or  molesta- 
tion ;  and  when  we  arrived  there,  it 
was  agreed  and  set  forth,  on  the  ex- 
hortation of  the  ministers  who  were 
Avith  us,  tliat  the  Solemn  League  and 
Covenant  should  be  publicly  renewed  ; 
and,  to  the  end  that  no  one  miglit 
misreport  the  spirituality  of  our  z^al 
and  intents,  a  Protestation  was  like- 
wise publislied,  wlierein  we  declared 
our  adherence  and  allegiance  to  the 
King  undiminished  in  all  temporal- 
ities ;  that  we  had  been  driven  to  seek 
redress  by  the  sword  for  ojipressions 
so  grievous,  that  they  could  be  no 
longer  eii(iured ;  and  that  all  we  asked 
and  sought  for  was,  the  re-estfiblish- 
ment  of  the  Presbyterian  liberty  of 
worship,  and  the  restoration  of  our 
godly  pastors  to  their  gospel-rights 
and  privileges. 

The  morrow  after  was  appointed 
for  the  covenanting,  and  to  be  held  as 
a  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  for 
our  Qwu  sins,  irhich  had  provoked 


the  Lord  to  bring  us  into  such  state 
of  peril  and  suffering  ;  and  it  was  a 
sacred  consolation,  as  Mr  Semple 
showed  in  his  discourse  on  the  occa- 
sion, that,  in  all  our  long  and  painful 
travels  from  Dumfries,  we  had  been 
guided  from  the  commission  of  any 
offence,  even  towards  those  whose 
hearts  were  not  with  us,  and  had  been 
brought  so  far  on  our  way  as  blame- 
less as  a  peace.able  congregation  going 
in  tlie  lown  of  a  Sabbath  morning  to 
worship  their  Maker  in  the  house  of 
prayer. 

But  neither  the  sobriety  of  our  de- 
meanour, nor  the  honest  protestation 
of  our  cause,  had  any  effect  on  the 
obdurate  heart  of  the  apostate  James 
Sharp,  who  happened,  by  reason  of 
the  Lord  Rothes  going  to  London,  to 
be  then  in  tiie  chief  chair  of  the  privy- 
council  at  Edinburgh.     He  knew  the 
deserts  of  his  own  guilt,  and  he  hated 
us,  even  unto  deatli,  for  the  woesJie 
had   made    us    puffer.     The    sough, 
therefore,  of  our  approach  was  to  the 
consternation  of  his  conscience  as  the 
sound  of  the  wheels  of  an  avenging 
God,  groaning  heavily  in  their  coniin|f 
with  the  weight  of  the  engines   of 
wrath  and  doom.     Some  said  that  lie 
sat  in  the  midst  of  the  counsellors  like 
a  demented  man  ;  and  others,  that  he 
was  seen  flying  to  and  fro,  wringing 
his  hands,  and  weeping,  and  wail.ng, 
and  gnashing  his  teeth.     But  though 
all  power  of  forethought  and  policy 
was  taken  from  him,  there  were  others 
of  the  council  who,  being  less  guilty, 
were  more  governed,  and  they  took 
measures  to  defend  the  capital  against 
us.     They  commanded  the  gates  to  bo 
fenced  with  cannon,  and  working  on 
the  terrors  of  the  inhabitants  with 
fearful  falsehoods  of  crimes  that  were 
never  connnitted,  thereby  caused  them 
to  band  themselves  for  the  protection 
of  their  lives  and  property,  while  they 
interdicted  them  from  all  egress,  in 
so  much,  that  many  who  were  friendly 


at 

nn'ra 

for 

the 

am 

like 

on  t 

the 

desc 


nnu 
bou 
as  ii 
wat 
hos 
and 
oft 
cxa 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


137 


to  us  were  frustrated  in  their  desire 
to  come  with  the  aid  of  their  helps 
aud  means. 

The  tidinga  of  the  preparations 
for  the  security  of  Edinburgh,  with 
the  unhappy  divisions  and  continual 
controversies  in  our  councils,  between 
the  captains  and  the  ministers,  aneut 
the  methods  of  conducting  the  raid, 
ha(],  even  before  we  left  Lanark,  bred 
much  sedition  among  us,  and  an 
ominous  dubiety  of  succei^s.  Never- 
theless our  numbers  continued  to  in- 
crease, and  we  went  forward  in  such 
a  commendable  order  of  battle,  that, 
had  the  Lord  been  pleased  with  our 
undertaking,  there  was  no  reason  to 
think  the  human  means  insufficient 
for  the  end.  But  in  the  mysteries  of 
the  depths  of  His  wisdom  he  had 
judged,  and  for  the  great  purposes  of 
his  providence  he  saw,  that  it  was 
meet  we  should  yet  suffer.  Accord- 
ingly, even  while  we  were  issuing 
forth  from  the  port  of  the  town,  the 
face  of  the  heavens  became  overcast, 
and  a  swift  carry  and  a  rising  wind 
were  solemn  intimations  to  my  troub- 
led sj)irit  that  the  hearteninc,'  of  His 
countenance  went  no  farther  with  us 
at  that  time. 

Nor  indeed  could  less  tlian  a 
miracle  in  our  behalf  have  availed; 
for  tiie  year  was  old  in  November, 
the  corn  was  stacked,  the  leaf  fallen, 
and  Nature,  in  outcast  nakedness,  sat, 
like  the  widows  of  the  martyrs,  forlorn 
on  the  hills  :  her  head  was  bound  with 
the  cloud,  and  she  mourned  over  the 
desolation  that  had  sent  sadness  and 
silence  into  .all  her  pleasant  jjlaces. 

As  we  advanced  the  skies  lowered, 
and  the  blast  raved  in  the  leafless 
boughs ;  sometimes  a  passing  shower, 
as  it  travelled  in  the  storm,  trailed  its 
watery  skirts  over  our  disheartened 
host,  (pienchiiig  the  zeal  of  many, — 
and  ever  and  anon  the  angry  riddlings 
of  the  cruel  hail  still  more  aud  more 
exasperated   our  discontent.    I  ob- 


served that  the  men  began  to  turn 
their  backs  to  the  wind,  and  to  look 
wistfully  behind,  and  to  mutter  and 
murmur  to  one  another.  But  still  we 
all  advanced,  gradually  however  fall- 
ing  into  separate  bands  and  companies, 
like  the  ice  of  the  river's  stream  break- 
ing asunder  in  a  thaw. 

In  the  afternoon  the  fits  of  the 
wind  became  less  vehement;  the 
clouds  were  gathered  more  compactly 
together,  and  the  hail  had  ceased,  but 
the  rain  was  lavished  without  mea- 
sure. The  roads  became  sloughs, — 
our  feet  were  drawn  heavily  out  of 
the  clay, — the  burns  and  broods  raged 
from  bank  to  brae, — and  tlie  horses 
swithered  at  the  fords,  in  so  much, 
that  towards  the  gloaming,  when  we 
were  come  to  Bathf.'ate,  several  of  our 
broken  legions  were  seen  far  behind ; 
and  when  we  lialted  for  the  night, 
scarcely  more  tiian  half  the  number 
with  whom  we  had  that  morning  left 
Lanark  could  be  mustered,  and  few  of 
those  who  had  fallen  behind  came  up. 
r  t  still  Captain  Learmont  thought, 
thac  as  soon  as  the  men  had  taken 
some  repose  after  that  toilsome  march, 
we  should  advance  outright  to  Edin- 
burgh. AVallace,  however,  objected, 
and  that  night  was  spent  between 
them  and  the  ministers  in  thriftless 
debate ;  moreover,  our  hardships  were 
increased ;  for,  by  the  prohibition  of 
the  privy-council  against  the  egress 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  we 
were,  as  I  have  said,  disappointed  of 
the  provisions  aud  succour  we  had 
trusted  to  receive  from  them,  and 
there  was  no  hope  in  our  camp,  but 
only  bitterness  of  spirit  ana  the 
breathings  of  despair. 

Seeing,  what  no  man  could  hide 
from  his  reason,  our  cause  abandoned 
of  the  Lord,  1  retired  from  tlie  main 
body  of  the  host,  and  sat  alone  on  a 
rock,  musing  with  a  sore  heart  on  all 
that  had  come  so  rashly  to  pass.  It 
[  was  then  the  last  Lour  of  the  gloam- 


138 


niNGAN  GTLITAIZE. 


iug,  and  everything  around  was  dis- 
mayed and  dishevelled.  The  storm 
had  abated,  and  the  rain  was  over, 
but  the  darkness  of  the  niglit  was 
closing  fast  in,  and  we  were  environed 
with  perils.  A  cloud,  like  the  black- 
ness of  a  niort-cloth,  hung  over  our 
camp ;  the  stars  withheld  their  light, 
and  the  windows  of  the  castle  shone 
with  the  candles  of  our  enemies,  who, 
safe  in  their  stronghold,  were  fresh 
in  strength  and  ready  for  battle. 

I  thought  of  my  home,  of  the  part- 
ner of  my  anxieties  and  cares,  of  the 
children  of  our  love,  and  of  the  dan- 
gers of  their  defencelessness,  and  I 
marvelled  with  a  weeping  spirit  at  tlie 
manner  in  wliioh  I  had  been  snnlchcd 
up,  and  brought,  as  il  were  in  a  wliiil- 
wind,  to  be  an  aetov  in  a  pccno  of 
liuch  inevitable  woe.  Sometimes,  in 
the  passion  of  that  grief,  I  was 
tempted  to  rise,  and  moved  to  seek 
my  way  back  (r>  the  nest  of  my  affec- 
tions. Uut  as  often  as  the  tliought 
came  over  my  heart,  witli  its  soft  and 
fond  enticements,  some  rustle  in  the 
camp  of  the  weary  men  avIio  had 
borne  in  the  march  all  that  I  had 
borne,  and  many  of  Uiem  in  tlie  cause 
far  more,  yea,  even  to  t!ie  martyrdom 
of  dear  friends,  I  bowed  my  head  and 
prayed  for  constancy  of  purpose  and 
fortitude  of  mind,  if  the  arm  of  flesh 
was  ordained  to  bo  the  means  of  res- 
cuing the  Gospel,  and  delivering  poor 
Scotland  from  i)rolatic  tyranny,  and 
the  thraldom  of  an  antichristiau  usur- 
pation in  the  kingly  power. 

While  I  was  tlius  sitting  in  this 
sad  and  solitary  state,  none  doubting 
that  before  another  night  our  cove- 
nanted army  would  be,  as  the  hail 
that  smote  so  sorely  on  our  march, 
seen  no  more,  and  only  known  to 
have  been  by  the  track  of  its  course 
on  the  fields  over  which  wo  had 
passed,  a  light  broke  in  upon  the 
darkness  of  my  soul,  and  amidst  high 
and  holy  experiences  of  consolation, 


mingled  with  awe  and  solemn  wonder, 
I  beheld  as  it  were  a  brigiit  and  shin- 
ing hand  draw  aside  tlie  curtain  of 
time,  and  disclose  the  blessings  of 
truth  and  liberty  that  were  ordained 
to  rise  from  the  fate  of  the  oppressors, 
who,  in  the  pride  and  panoply  of 
arbitrary  power,  had  so  thrown  down 
the  temple  of  God,  and  laid  waste 
His  vineyard. 

I  saw  that  from  our  hasty  enter- 
prise they  would  l-.e  drawn  to  com- 
mit still  more  grievous  aggressions, 
aii'l  thereby  incur  some  fearful  for- 
feiture of  the  iionours  and  predomi- 
nancy of  which  tliey  h;id  for  so  many 
years  shown  themseivcs  so  unworthy  ; 
and  T  had  a  foretaste  in  that  hour  of 
the  fuininieiit  of  my  grandfather's 
prophecy  concerning  the  tasks  tliat 
were  in  store  for  myself  in  the  de- 
liverance of  my  native  land.  So  that, 
although  1  rose  from  tlie  rock  where- 
on 1  was  sitting,  in  the  clear  convic- 
tion that  our  array  would  be  scattered 
like  chaff  before  the  wind,  I  yet  had 
a  blessed  persuasion  that  the  event 
would  prove  in  the  end  a  link  in  the 
chain,  or  a  cog  in  the  wheel,  of  the 
hidden  enginery  with  which  Provi- 
dence works  good  out  of  evil. 

In  the  course  of  the  niglit,  shortly 
after  the  third  Avatch  had  been  set, 
some  of  those  who  had  tarried  by  the 
way  came  to  the  camp  with  the  tid- 
ings that  ])alziel  aiul  all  the  royal 
forces  in  (Glasgow  were  coining  upon 
us.  'J'liis,  though  foreseen,  caused  a 
great  panic,  and  a  council  of  Avar, 
consisting,  as  usual,  of  ministers  and 
officers,  was  held,  to  determine  Avhat 
should  be  done  ;  but  it  was  likewise, 
as  usual,  only  a  fruitless  controversy. 
I,  however,  on  this  occasion,  feeling 
myself  sustained  in  spirit  by  the 
assurances  I  had  received  iu  my  medi- 
tations on  the  rock,  ventured  to  speak 
my  mind  freely;  which  was  to  tho 
effect  that,  taking  our  dejected  con- 
dition, tho  desertion  of  our  friends, 


ri( 


KTNGAN  GTLnAIZE. 


1^9 


and  our  disappointments  from  the 
city,  into  consideration,  we  could  do 
MO  better  thing  tlian  evade  the  swords 
of  our  adversaries  by  disbanding  our- 
Bolvcs,  that  each  might  be  free  to  seek 
safety  for  himself. 

Many  were  inclined  to  tliis  coun- 
sel ;  and  I  doubt  not  it  would  liave 
been  followed ;  but,  while  conferring 
together,  an  oflicer  came  from  the 
Privy  Council  to  propose  a  cessation 
cf  arms  till  our  demands  could  bo 
considered.  It  was  manifest  that  this 
was  a  wily  stratagem  to  keep  us  in  the 
•snare  till  Dalziel  had  time  to  come 
up,  and  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  make 
the  council  see  it  in  the  same  light; 
but  there  was  a  blindnesH  of  mind 
among  \\i<,  and  the  greater  number 
thought  it  augured  a  speedy  redress  of 
the  wrongi^  for  which  wo  had  come  to 
seek  reparation.  Nor  did  tlieir  ob- 
stinacy in  this  relax  till  next  morning, 
when,  instead  of  anytliing  like  tiieir 
improbable  hopes,  came  a  proclama- 
tion ordering  us  to  disperse,  and  con- 
taining neither  promise  of  indemnity 
nor  of  pardon.  J5ut  then  it  was  too 
late.  Dalziel  was  in  sigiit.  Ilis  army 
was  coming  like  a  stream  along  the 
foot  of  the  Pentland  Hills.  We  saw 
his  banners  and  the  glittering  of  his 
arms,  and  the  sound  of  his  musicants 
came  swelling  on  the  breeze. 

It  was  plain  that  his  purpose  was 
to  drive  us  in  towards  the  town ;  but 
had  we  dispersed,  we  might  even  then 
have  frustrated  his  intent.  There 
happened,  however,  besides  Learmont 
and  Wallace,  to  be  several  officers 
among  us  who  had  stubborn  notions 
of  military  honour;  and  they  would 
not  permit  so  misoldier-like  a  flight. 
There  were  also  divers  heated  and 
fanatical  spirits,  Avliom,  because  our 
undertaking  had  been  for  religious 
ends,  nothing  could  persuade  that 
rrovidenec  would  not  interfere  in 
some  signal  manner  for  their  deliver- 
ance, yea,  even  to  the  overthrow  of 


the  enemy ;  and  Mr  Whamle,  a  min- 
ister, one  of  these,  getting  upon  tlie 
toji  of  tlic  rock  where  I  had  sat  the 
night  before,  began  to  preach  of  tlio 
mighty  things  tliat  the  Lord  did  for 
the  children  of  Israel  in  the  valley  of 
Aijalon,  where  he  not  only  throw 
down  great  stones  from  the  heavens, 
but  enabled  Josliua  to  command  the 
sun  and  moon  to  stand  still — which  to 
any  composed  mind  was  melancholi- 
ous  to  hear. 

In  sequence  to  these  divisions  and 
contrarieties  whicii  enchanted  us  to 
tlie  spot,  Dalziel,  con.sidering  that  we 
were  minded  to  give  him  battle, 
biDiiglit  on  ilis  force:  and  it  is  but 
diK-  to  the  renown  of  tiie  valour  of 
tiiosi;  jireseut  to  record  that,  notwitli- 
standing  a  fearful  odds,  our  men, 
hiiving  the  vantage  ground,  so  stoutly 
maintained  their  station  that  we  re- 
pulsed iiim  thrice. 

J5ut  the  victory,  as  I  have  said,  was 
not  ordained  for  us.  In  the  afternoon 
Dalziel  was  reinforced  by  several  score 
of  mounted  gentlemen  from  the  adja- 
cent counties,  and  with  their  horse, 
about  sunset,  our  phalanx  Avas  shat- 
tered, our  ranks  broken,  and  then  we 
began  to  quit  the  field.  The  number 
of  our  slain,  and  of  those  who  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  did  not  in  the 
whole  exceed  two  hundred  men.  The 
dead  might  liave  been  greater,  but  for 
tiie  compassion  of  the  gentlemen,  who 
had  respect  to  the  can.su  which  had 
provoked  us  to  arms,  and  who,  in- 
stead of  doing  as  Dalziel's  men  did, 
without  remorse  or  pity,  cried  to  tlio 
futritives  to  flee,  and  sjiai-ed  many  in 
consideration  of  the  common  wrongs. 

When  I  saw  that  our  host  was 
dashed  into  pieces,  and  the  fragments 
scattered  over  the  fields,  I  fled  with 
the  flying,  and  gained,  with  aboi'fc 
some  thirty  other  fugitives,  the  brovtr 
of  a  steep  part  of  the  Pentland  Hills, 
where  the  mounted  gentlemen,  even 
had  they  been  inclined,  could  not 


140 


RTNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


easily  have  followed  \\a.  There,  whilo 
we  halted  to  rest  a  little,  we  heard  a 
shout  now  and  tlien  rise  startling 
froQi  the  field  of  battle  below;  but 
night  coming  ou,  all  was  soon  silent, 
and  we  sat,  iu  the  holiness  of  our 
mountain-refuge,  in  silent  rumination 
till  the  moon,  rolling  slowly  from  be- 
hind Arthur's  Seat,  looked  from 
her  window  in  the  cloud,  as  if  to  ad- 
monish us  to  flee  farther  from  the 
scene  of  danger. 

The  llcv.  Air  Witherspoon  being 
among  us,  was  the  first  to  feel  the 
gracious  admonition,  and,  rising  from 
the  ground,  he  said — 

"  Friends,  we  must  not  tarry  here, 
the  hunters  are  fortli,  and  we  are  the 
prey  they  pursue.  They  will  track  us 
long,  and  the  hounds  are  not  of  a 
nature  to  lose  scent,  especially  when 
they  have  tasted,  as  they  have  done 
this  day,  the  rich  blood  of  the  faith- 
ful and  the  true.  Therefore  let  us  de- 
part; but  where,  O  where  sliall  we 
And  a  home  to  receive  us  ? — Where 
a  place  of  rest  for  our  weary  limbs,  or 
a  safe  stone  for  a  pillow  to  our 
aching  heads  ?  But  wiiy  do  I  doubt  ? 
Blameless  as  we  are,  even  before  man, 
of  all  offence,  save  that  of  seeking 
leave  to  worsliip  God  according  to 
our  conscience,  it  cannot  be  that  we 
shall  bo  left  without  succour.  No, 
my  friends !  though  our  bed  be  the 
damp  grass  and  our  coverlet  the 
cloudy  sky,  our  food  the  haws  of  the 
hedge,  and  our  drink  the  drumly 
burn,  we  have  made  tor  our  hearts 
the  down-beds  of  religious  faith,  and 
have  found  a  banquet  for  our  spirits 
in  the  ambrosial  truths  of  the  gospel 
— luxuries  that  neither  a  James  Sharp 
nor  a  Charles  Stuart  can  ever  enjoy, 
nor  all  the  rents  and  revenues,  fines 
and  forfeitures,  which  princes  may 
exact  and  prelates  yearn  to  partake 
of,  can  buy," 

lie  then  offered  up  a  thanksgiving 
that  we  bad  been  spared  from  the 


sword  in  the  battle  ;  after  which  wo 
shook  hands  in  silence  together,  and 
each  pursued  his  own  way. 

Mr  Witlierspoon  lingered  by  ray 
side  as  we  descended  the  hill,  and  I 
discerned  that  he  wao  inclined  to  be 
my  companion  ;  so  we  continued  to- 
gether, stretching  towards  tlie  north- 
west, in  order  to  fall  into  the  Lithgow 
road,  being  mindet  to  pass  along  the 
skirts  of  Stirlingshire,  thence  into 
Lennox,  in  the  hope  of  reaching 
Argyle's  country,  by  the  Wcay  of  the 
ferry  of  Balloch.  But  we  had  owre 
soon  a  cruel  cause  to  change  tho 
course  of  our  flight. 

In  coming  down  towards  tho 
Ahnondwater,  we  saw  a  man  running 
before  us  in  the  glimpse  of  the  moon- 
shine, and  it  was  natural  to  conclude, 
from  his  gestures  and  the  solitude  of 
the  place,  that  no  one  could  be  so 
far  a-field  at  such  a  time,  but  some 
poor  fellow-fugitive  from  Bullion- 
green,  where  the  battle  was  fought; 
so  we  called  to  him  to  stop,  and  to 
fear  no  ill,  for  wo  were  friends. 
Still,  however,  he  fled  on,  and  heed- 
ed not  our  entreaty,  which  made  ns 
both  marvel  and  resolve  to  overtake 
him.  We  thought  it  was  not  safe  to 
follow  long  an  unlinown  person  wlio 
was  so  evidently  afraid,  and  flying,  as 
we  supposed,  to  his  home.  Accord- 
ingly we  hastened  our  speed,  and  I, 
being  tlie  nimblest,  readied  him  at  a 
place  where  he  was  stopped  by  a 
cleft  in  the  rocks  on  the  river's  woody 
brink. 

"Why  do  you  fly  so  fast  from 
us?"  said  I,  "we're  frae  the  rent- 
land-hills  too." 

At  these  words  he  looked  wildly 
round,  and  his  face  was  as  ghastly  aa 
a  ghost's  in  the  moonlight ;  but  dis- 
torted as  he  was  by  his  fears,  I  dis- 
covered in  him  my  neighbour,  Nahura 
Chapelrig,  and  1  spoke  to  him  by 
name. 

"  O,  llingan  Gilhaize !  "  said  he, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


141 


and  he  took  hold  of  me  with  his  riglit 
hand, while  he  raised  his  left  and  shook 
it  ill  a  fearful  and  frantic  manner,  "  1 
am  a  dead  man,  my  hours  are  num- 
bered, and  tlie  sand-plass  of  my  days  is 
amaist  a'  run  out.  I  had  been  saved 
from  tlie  sword,  spared  from  the 
spear,  and,  flying  from  the  field,  I 
went  to  a  farm-house  yonder;  I 
sought  admission  and  shelter  for  a 
forlorn  Christian  man  ;  but  the  edicts 
of  the  persecutors  are  more  obeyed 
here  than  the  laws  of  God.  The  farmer 
opened  his  casement,  and  spcering  if 
I  had  been  at  the  raid  of  the  Cove- 
nanters, which,  for  the  sake  of  truth 
and  tlie  glory  of  God,  I  couldna  deny, 
he  sliot  me  dead  on  the  spot;  for  his 
bullet  gaed  in  at  my  breast,  and  is 
fast  in  my ." 

lie  could  say  no  more ;  for  at  that 
juncture  he  gave,  as  it  were,  a  gurgle 
in  the  tliroat,  and  swirling  round,  fell 
down  a  bleeding  corpse  on  the  ground 
where  he  stood,  before  Mr  Wither- 
epoon  had  time  to  come  up. 

We  both  looked  at  poor  guiltless 
Nahum  as  he  lay  on  the  grass,  and, 
after  some  sorrowful  communion,  Ave 
lifted  the  body,  and  carrying  it  down 
aneath  the  bank  of  the  river,  laid 
stones  and  turfs  upon  it  by  the  moon- 
light, that  the  unclean  birds  might 
not  be  able  to  molest  his  martyred 
remains.  Wo  then  consulted  together ; 
and  having  communed  concerning 
the  manner  of  Nahum's  death,  we  re- 
solved not  to  trust  ourselves  in  the 
power  of  strangers  in  those  parts  of 
the  country,  wliere  the  submi.ssion  to 
the  prelatic  enormity  had  been  fol- 
lowed with  such  woeful  evidence  of 
depravity  of  heart.  So,  instead  of 
continuing  our  journey  to  the  north- 
ward,  we  changed  ^^ar  course,  and, 
for  tlie  remainder  of  the  niglit,  souglit 
our  way  due  west,  by  the  skirts  of  the 
moors  and  other  untrodden  ways. 


CHAPTER    XIX, 


At  break  of  day  we  found  ourselves 
on  a  lonely  brae-side,  sorely  weary, 
hungry  and  faint  in  spirit:  a  few 
whin  buslies  were  on  the  bank,  and  the 
birds  in  them  were  beginning  to  chirp 
— we  sat  down  and  wist  not  what  to 
do. 

Mr  Witherspoon  prayed  inwardly 
for  support  and  resignation  of  heart 
in  the  trials  he  was  ordained  to  under- 
go ;  but  doure  thoughts  began  to 
gather  in  my  bosom.  I  yearned  for 
my  family, — I  mourned  to  know  what 
had  become  of  my  brother  in  tlio 
battle, — and  I  grudged  and  marvelled 
wherefore  it  was  tliat  the  royal  and 
the  great  had  so  little  respect  for  the 
religious  honesty  of  harmless  country 
folk. 

It  was  now  the  nine-and-twentieth 
day  of  November,  but  the  weather 
for  the  season  was  open  and  mild,  and 
the  morning  rose  around  us  in  tlie 
glory  of  her  light  and  beauty.  As 
the  gay  and  goodly  sun  looked  over 
the  e.'isteru  hills,  we  cast  our  eyes  on 
all  sides,  and  beheld  the  scattered 
villages  and  the  rising  smoke  of  the 
farms,  but  saw  not  a  dwelling  wo 
could  venture  to  api»roach,  nor  a  roof 
that  our  fears,  and  the  woeful  end  of 
poor  Nahum  Cliapelrig,  did  not 
teach  us  to  think  covered  a  foe. 

While  we  were  sitting  communing 
on  these  things,  we  discovered,  at  a 
little  distance  on  the  left,  an  aged 
woman  hirpling  aslant  the  route  wo 
intended  to  take.  She  had  a  porringer 
in  tlie  one  hand,  and  a  small  kit  tied  iu 
acloute  in  tlie  other,  by  which  we  dis- 
cerned that  she  was  j^robably  somo 
labourer's  wife  conveying  his  break- 
fast to  him  iu  the  fiehf. 

We  botli  rose,  and  going  towards 
her,  Mr  Witherspoon  said,  "  For  the 
love  of  God  have  compassion  on  two 
famishing  Christians." 

The  old  woman  stopped,  and  look- 


142 


KINGAN  GILIIAIZE. 


ing  round,  gazed  at  us  for  a  spaco  of 
time,  with  a  conntenauco  of  compas- 
sionate reverence. 

"  liech,  sirs  !  "  she  then  said,  "  and 
has  it  come  to  this,  that  a  minister  of 
tlie  gospel  is  obligated  to  beg  an  alm- 
ous  fnie  Janet  Armstrong  ?  "  And 
she  set  down  the  porringer  on  the 
ground,  and  began  to  untie  the  clouto 
in  which  she  carried  the  kit,  saying, 
"  Little  did  I  think  tiiat  sic  an  homage 
was  in  store  for  me,  or  that  the  merci- 
ful Heavens  would  e'er  requite  my 
sufferings  in  this  world,  Avi'  the 
honour  of  placing  it  in  my  power  to 
help  a  persecuted  servant  of  the  living 
God.  JNIr  Witherspoon,  I  ken  ye 
weel ;  meikle  sweet  counselling  I  got 
frae  you  when  ye  jireached  for  our 
minister  at  Camrachle  in  the  time  of 
the  great  covenanting.  I  was  tiien  as 
a  lanerly  widow,  for  my  gudeman 
was  at  the  raid  of  Dunse-hill,  and 
my  heart  was  often  sorrowful  and 
sinking  wi'  a  sinful  misdootiug  of 
rrovidence,  for  I  had  twa  wee  bairns 
and  but  a  toom  garnel." 

She  then  opened  the  kit,  which 
contained  a  providing  of  victual  that 
she  was  carrying,  as  we  had  thought, 
to  her  husband,  aquarrierin  a  neigh- 
bouring quarry ;  and  bidding  \xa  par- 
tiike,  she  said — 

"  This  will  be  a  blithe  morning  to 
John  Armstrong,  to  think  that  out  of 
our  basket  and  store,  we  hae  had 
for  once  in  our  day,  the  blessing  of 
gi'eiug  a  pick  to  ane  o'  God's  greatest 
(lorbies ;  and  he'll  no  fin'  his  day's 
darg  ae  hue  the  dreigher  for  wanting 
his  breakfast  on  account  of  sic  a 
cause." 

So  we  eat  down,  and  began  to  par- 
take of  the  repast  with  a  greedy 
appetite,  and  the  worthy  woman  con- 
tinued to  talk. 

"  Aye,"  said  she,  "  the  country- 
side has  been  in  a  consternation  ever 
since  Dalziel  left  Glasgow; — we  a' 
jealouscd  that  the  Lanark  Covcnau- 


tcrs  wouldna  be  able  to  withstand  his 
power  and  the  king's  forces ;  for  it 
was  said  ye  hadna  a  right  captain  of 
war  among  you  a'. — llut,  Mr  Wither- 
spoon,  ye  could  ne'er  be  ane  of  the 
minister's  that  were  said  to  meddle 
with  the  battering-rams  o'  battle. — 
No  :  weel  1  wat  that  yours  is  a  holier 
wisdom — ye  would  be  for  peace  ; — 
blessed  are  the  i)iuce-makev3." 

Seeing  the  honest  'vomau  thus  iur 
cliued  to  prattle  of  things  too  high  for 
her  to  understand,  Mr  Witherspoon's 
hunger  being  somewhat  abated,  he 
calmly  interposed,  and  turned  the 
discourse  into  kind  inquiries  concern- 
ing the  state  of  her  poor  soul  and  her 
straitened  worldly  circumstances  ;  and 
he  was  well  content  to  find  that  sho 
had  a  pleasant  vista  of  the  truths  of 
salvation,  and  a  confidence  in  the  un- 
ceasi'^g  care  of  Providence. 

"Tiie  same  gracious  hand  that 
feeds  the  ravens,"  said  she,  "  will  ne'er 
let  twa  auld  folk  want,  tiiat  it  h.ns 
been  at  tiie  trouble  to  provide  for  so 
long.  Its  true  we  had  a  better  proa-* 
pek  in  our  younger  days  ;  but  our  auld 
son  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Wor^ 
cester,  when  he  gaed  in  to  help  to  put 
the  English  crown  on  the  head  of  tha^ 
false  Ciiarlie  Stuart,  who  ha.s  broken 
his  oath  and  the  Covenant ;  and  my 
twa  winsome  lassies  diet  in  their  teens, 
before  they  were  come  to  years  o'  disi 
cretion.  But  '  few  and  evil  are  the 
days  of  man  that  is  born  of  a  woman,* 
as  I  hae  heard  you  preach,  Mr 
Witherspoou,  which  is  a  blessed  truth 
and  consolation  to  those  who  have  not 
in  this  world  any  continued  city." 

We  then  enquired  what  wag  the 
religious  frame  of  the  people  in  that 
part  of  the  country,  in  order  that  wo 
might  know  how  to  comport  ourselves; 
but  she  gave  us  little  heartening. 

"  The  strength  and  wealtii  o'  tho 
gentry,"  said  she,  "  is  just  sooket  awa 
wi'  ae  fine  after  anither,  and  it's  no 
in  the  power  of  nature  that  they  can 


TTNGAN  fillJIATZK 


143 


nioiklu  laiiyer  staud  out  against  the 
prelacy.'' 

"  I  hope,"  replied  MrWitherspoon, 
"  that  there's  no  syniptoni  of  a  laxity 
of  principle  among  tliem  ?  " 

"  I  doot.  I  doot,  Mr  Uitherspoon," 
said  Janet  Arnistronia;,  "  we  canna  hae 
a  groat  dependence  either  on  principle 
or  doctrine  when  folk  arc  driven  dc- 
iiiented  Avi'  ojtpression.  !Many  tliat 
were  ancc  godly  among  lis  can  thole 
no  more,  and  they  begin  to  fash  and 
turn  aw;V  at  the  sight  of  their  perse- 
cuted friends." 

l\Ir  AVitherspoou  sighed  with  a 
heavy  heart  on  hearing  this,  and 
mournfully  sliook  his  head.  We  then 
thanked  Janet  for  her  hospitable 
kindness,  and  rising,  were  moving  to 
go  away. 

"  [  hope,  Mv  Witherspoon,"  said 
she,  "that  we're  no  to  part  iu  sio  a 
knotless  manner.  Bide  here  till  I 
gang  for  John  Armstrong  and  the 
otlier  twa  men  that  howk  wi'  him  in 
the  quarry.  They're  bearing  plants  o' 
liie  vineyard, — tarry,  I  pray  you,  and 
water  them  wi'  tiio  water  o'  the  Word." 

And  so  Siiying,  she  hastened  down 
tlic  track  she  was  going,  and  we  con- 
tinued on  the  spot  to  wait  her  return, 

"  liingan,''  said  Mr  Witherspoon 
to  me,  "  I  fear  there's  owre  meikle 
truth  iu  what  slie  says  concerning  the 
state  of  religion,  not  only  here,  but 
among  all  the  commonalty  of  the  hind. 
'I'lie  poor  beast  that's  overladen  may 
be  stubborn,  and  refuse  for  a  time  to 
draw ;  but  the  whip  will  at  last  pre- 
vail, until,  worn  out  and  weary,  it 
meekly  lies  down  to  die.  In  like 
manner,  the  stoutness  of  the  cove- 
nanted heart  will  be  overcome." 

Just  as  he  was  uttering  these 
words,  a  whiz  in  a  whin  bush  near  to 
wlierc  we  were  standing,  and  the  souiul 
of  a  gun,  startled  us,  and  on  looking 
round  we  saw  five  men,  and  one  of 
the  black-cuiFa  with  his  firelock  etill 
fit  Lia  shoulder,  looking  towards  ug 


from  behind  a  dyke  that  ran  along  the 
bottom  of  the  brae.  There  wn.s  no 
time  for  consultation.  We  fled,  cower- 
ing behind  the  whin  bushes  till  we 
got  round  a  turn  iu  the  hill,  Avhich, 
protecting  us  from  any  immediate 
sliot,  enabled  us  to  run  in  freedom 
till  we  reached  a  hazel  wood,  which 
having  entered,  we  halted  to  take 
breath, 

"  Wii  must  not  trust  ourselves 
long  liere,  Mr  Witherspoon,"  said  1. 
"  Let  us  go  forward,  for  assuredly  the 
bloodhounds  will  follow  us  in." 

Accordingly  we  went  on.  Lut  it 
is  not  to  be  told  what  we  suffered  in 
passing  through  that  wood  ;  for  the 
boughs  and  branches  scourged  us  in 
the  face,  and  the  ground  beneath  our 
feet  was  marshy  and  deep,  and  griev- 
ously overspread  with  brambles  that 
tore  away  our  very  flesh. 

After  enduring  several  hours  of 
unspeak.'iblo  suffering  beneath  those 
wild  and  unfrequented  trees,  we  camo 
to  a  little  glen,  down  whicli  a  burn 
ran,  and  having  stopped  to  consult, 
wo  resolved  to  go  up  rather  iliau 
down  the  stream,  in  ord'.-r  that  wo 
might  not  be  seen  by  the  pursuers, 
whom  we  supposed  would  naturally 
keep  the  hill,  liut  by  this  time  our 
strength  was  iu  a  manner  utterly 
gone  with  fatigue,  in  so  much  tiiat 
Mr  Witherspoon  said  it  would  be  as 
well  to  fall  into  th^  hands  of  the 
enemy  as  to  die  in  the  wood.  I,  how- 
ever, encouraged  him  to  be  of  good 
clieer;  and  it  so  happened,  in  that 
veiy  moment  of  despair,  that  I  ob- 
served a  little  cavern  nook  aneath  a 
rock  that  overhung  the  burn,  and 
thither  I  proposed  we  should  wade 
and  rest  ourselves  in  the  cave,  trusting 
that  Providence  would  bo  pleased  to 
guide  our  persecutors  into  some  other 
path.  So  we  passed  tlic  water,  and 
laid  ourselves  down  under  the  shelter 
of  the  rock,  where  we  soon  after  fell 
asleep. 


144 


HINOAN  GILHATZE. 


^Ve  were  graciously  protected  for 
the  space  of  four  hours,  wliile  wo  lay 
asleep  under  the  rock.  Mr  Withcr- 
spoou  was  the  first  who  awoke,  and 
he  sat  watching  me  for  some  time,  in 
great  anxiety  of  spirit,  as  ho  after- 
wards told  me ;  for  the  day  wfvs  far 
spent,  and  the  weather,  as  is  often  the 
custom  in  our  climate,  in  the  wane  of 
the  year,  when  the  morning  rises 
bright,  hiid  become  coarse  and  drunily, 
threatening  a  rough  night. 

At  last  I  awoke,  and  according  to 
what  wo  had  previously  counselled 
together,  we  went  up  the  course  of 
the  burn,  and  so  got  out  of  that  afUict- 
ing  wood,  and  came  to  an  open  and 
wide  moorland,  over  which  we  held 
our  journeying  westward,  guided  by 
the  sun  that  with  a  sickly  eye  was 
then  cowering  through  the  mist  to 
his  chamber  ayont  the  hill. 

But  though  all  around  us  was  a 
pathless  scene  of  brown  heather,  here 
and  there  patched  with  the  deceitful 
green  of  some  perilous  well-e'e ; 
though  the  skies  were  sullen,  and  the 
bleak  wind  gusty,  and  every  now  and 
then  a  straggling  flake  of  snow, 
strewed  in  our  way  from  the  invisible 
hand  of  the  cloud,  was  a  token  of  a 
coming  drift,  still  a  joyous  encourage- 
ment was  shed  into  our  bosoms,  and 
we  saw  in  the  wildness  of  the  waste, 
and  the  omens  of  the  storm,  the  bles- 
sed means  with  which  Providence,  in 
that  forlorn  epoch,  was  manifestly  de- 
terring the  pursuer  and  the  perse- 
cutor from  tracking  our  defenceless 
flight.  So  we  journeyed  onward,  dis- 
coursing of  many  dear  and  tender 
cares,  often  looking  round,  and  listen- 
ing when  startled  by  the  wind  whis- 
pering to  the  heath  and  the  waving 
fern,  till  the  shadows  of  evening 
began  to  fall,  and  the  dangers  of  the 
night  season  to  darken  around  us. 

When  the  snow  hung  on  the  hea- 
ther like  its  own  bells,  we  wished,  but 
we  feared  to  seek  a  place  of  shelter. 


Fain  would  wo  have  gone  back  to  tho 
home  for  the  fugitive,  which  we  had 
found  under  tho  rock,  but  we  kntiw 
not  how  to  turn  ourselves ;  for  the 
lights  of  tho  moon  and  stars  were 
deeply  concealed  in  the  dark  folds  of 
the  wintry  mantle  with  which  tho 
heavens  were  wrapt  up.  Our  hearts 
then  grew  weary,  and  more  than  onco 
I  felt  as  if  I  were  very  willing  to 
die. 

Still  wo  struggled  on ;  and  when 
it  had  been  dark  about  an  hour,  wo 
came  to  the  skirts  of  a  field,  where 
tho  strips  of  the  stubble  through  tho 
snow  showed  us  that  some  ho'ise  or 
clachan  could  not  be  far  o''  Wo 
then   consulted  together,   r  to 

make  our  place  of  rest  in  th„  .  ol  a 
stack,  or  an  outhouse,  than  to  apply 
to  the  dwelling ;  for  the  thought  of 
the  untimely  end  of  harmless  Nahum 
Chapelrig  lay  like  clay  on  our  hearts, 
and  we  could  not  but  be  sorry  that, 
among  the  other  woes  of  the  vial  of 
the  prelatio  disi)ensation,  the  hearts 
of  the  people  of  Scotland  should  be 
turned  against  one  another. 

Accordingly  going  down  tho  riga, 
with  as  little  interchange  of  discourse 
as  could  well  be,  we  descried,  by  tho 
schimmer  of  the  snow,  and  a  ghastly 
streak  of  moonlight  that  passed  over 
the  fields,  a  farm-steading,  with  seve- 
ral trees  and  stacks  around  it,  and 
thither  we  softly  directed  our  steps. 
Greatly,  however,  were  we  surprised 
and  touched  with  distress,  when,  as 
we  drew  near,  we  saw  that  there  was 
no  light  in  tho  house,  nor  the  sign  of 
fire  within,  nor  inhabitant  about  tho 
place. 

On  reaching  the  door  wo  found  it 
open,  and  on  entering  in,  everything 
seemed  as  if  it  had  been  suddenly 
abandoned;  but  by  the  help  of  a  pistol, 
which  I  had  taken  in  the  raid  from 
one  of  Turner's  disarmed  troopers,  and 
putting  our  trust  in  the  protection  we 
had  so  far  enjoyed,  I  struck  a  light  and 


llTNfiAN  OTLITATZK. 


14; 


kiiidk'd  tlio  fire,  over  wliicli  tlioro  was 
Ktill  Iiiiiif,'iii.i,'.  o!i  the  HWec,  a  kuil-pot, 
Avlicniii  till'  family  at  tlio  time  of  tlioir 
ili;.r|it  ii.adljL'uii  jtrcpariiif,' their  dinner; 
iind  we  judged  l)y  tliiH  token,  and  liy 
tlie  vi.silde  desertion,  that  we  were  in 
tlie  lioiise  of  some  of  (iod's  people 
wlio  had  lieon  .suddenly  sealtereil. 
Aecordinyly  we  scrupled  not  to  help 
oiirselvi's  from  the  aunirie,  knowinj,' 
how  readily  they  would  pardon  the 
freedom  of  need  in  a  gos^jel  minister, 
and  a  covenanted  brotiicr  dejected 
with  want  and  much  suffering. 

Havinpr  fmished  our  supper,  iu- 
fitoad  of  sitting  by  the  fire,  as  wo  at 
first  proposed  to  do,  we  thought  it 
would  be  safer  to  take  the  blankets 
from  the  beds  and  make  our  lair  in 
tlie  barn  ;  so  wo  accordingly  retired 
Ihitlier,  and  lay  down  among  some 
untlireshed  corn  that  w.-xs  lying  ready 
on  tile  floor  for  the  flail. 

lUit  we  were  not  well  down  when 
we  heard  the  breathings  of  two  per- 
sons near  us.  As  there  was  no  light, 
and  Mr  "NVitii'-rspoon  guessing  by 
what  Avc  had  seen,  and  by  this  con- 
cealment, that  they  must  be  some  of 
the  family,  he  began  to  pray  aloud, 
thereby,  without  letting  wot  they  were 
discovered,  making  them  to  under- 
stand what  sort  of  guests  wo  were. 
At  the  conclusion  an  old  woman 
spoke  to  us,  telling  us  dreadful  things 
which  a  gang  of  soldiers  had  com- 
mitted that  afternoon. 

•'  lUit  what  has  become  of  our 
men,  or  where  the  bairns  liae  fled, 
we  know  not,"  said  that  aged  person, 
in  a  voice  of  settled  grief,  an<l  all  the 
sacred  exhortations  that  IMr  VVither- 
spoon  could  employ  softened  not  the 
obduracy  of  her  inward  sorrowing, 
lie,  however,  persuaded  them  to  re- 
turn ■with  us  to  the  house  ;  for  the 
enemy  having  been  there,  wo  thought 
it  not  likely  he  would  that  night  come 
again.  As  for  mc,  during  the  dismal 
recital,  I  could  not  epcak.    The  eye 


of  my  spirit  was  fixed  on  the  trcnsuro 
I  had  left  at  home.  Every  word  I 
heard  was  like  the  sting  of  an  adder. 
My  horrors  and  fears  rose  to  such  a 
pitch,  that  I  could  no  longer  master 
them.  1  started  up  and  rushed  to 
the  door,  as  if  it  hail  been  possible  to 
arre.ot  the  imagined  rage  of  the  per- 
secutors in  my  own  unprotected 
dwelling. 

IMr  Witherspoon  followed  me, 
tliinking  I  had  gone  by  myself,  and 
caught  mc  by  the  arm  and  entreated 
me  to  bo  composed,  and  to  return 
with  him  into  the  house.  But  while 
he  wii  thus  kindly  remonstrating 
with  me,  something  took  his  foot, 
and  he  stumbled  and  fell  to  the 
ground.  The  accident  served  to 
check  the  frenzy  of  my  thoughts  for 
a  moment,  and  I  stooped  down  to 
help  him  up  ;  but  in  the  same  instant 
he  uttered  a  wild  howl  that  made  niu 
start  from  him ;  and  ho  then  added, 
awfully — 

"  In  the  namo  of  Heaven,  what  is 
this  ?  " 

"  What  is  this?  "  said  I,  filled  with 
unutterable  dread. 

"  Hush,  hush,"  ho  replied  as  ho 
rose,  "  lest  the  poor  women  hear  us  ;  " 
and  he  lifted  in  his  arms  the  body  of 
a  child  of  some  four  or  five  years  old. 
I  could  endure  no  more ;  1  thougiit 
the  voices  of  my  own  innocents  cried 
to  me  for  help,  and  in  the  frenzy  of 
the  moment  I  left  the  godly  man,  and 
fled  like  a  demoniac,  not  knowing 
which  way  I  went. 

A  keen  frost  had  succeeded  the 
snow,  and  the  wind  blew  piercingly 
cold ;  but  the  gloom  had  passed 
away.  The  starry  eyes  of  the  heavens 
were  all  wakefully  bright,  and  the 
moon  was  moving  along  the  fleecy 
edge  of  a  cloud,  like  a  lonely  barque 
that  navigates  amidst  the  foaming 
perils  of  some  dark  inhospitable 
shore.  At  the  time,  however,  I  was 
in  no  frame  of  thought  to  note  these 


146 


RINCrAN  GILHATZE. 


tilings,  but  I  know  that  sucli  wnB 
then  the  aspect  of  tliat  iiifrht;  for  as 
often  ,yot,  as  the  freezinij  M'ind  sweeps 
over  the  fields  strewed  with  snow, 
and  the  stars  are  shining  vigilantl)', 
and  the  moon  hastily  travels  on  the 
skirts  of  the  cloud,  the  ]>a.ssion  of  that 
liour,  at  the  sigiit  thereof,  revives  in 
my  spirit ;  and  the  mourning  Avomen. 
and  tlie  perished  child  iit  the  arms  of 
Mr  Witherspoon,  appear  like  palpable 
imagery  before  the  eyes  of  my  remem- 
brance. 

The  speed  with  which  I  ran  soon 
exhausted  my  strength. — 1  began  to 
reflect  on  the  unavailing  zeal  witli 
which  I  was  then  hastening  to  the 
Buccour  of  those  for  Avhom  my  soul 
was  suffering  more  than  the  tongue  of 
the  eloquent  orator  can  express. — I 
stopjied  to  collect  my  reason  and  my 
thoughts,  which,  I  may  well  say,  were 
scattered,  like  the  wrack  that  drifts  in 
the  tempestuous  air. — I  considered, 
that  I  knew  not  a  footstep  of  the 
road,  that  dangers  surrounded  me  on 
all  sides,  and  tliat  the  precipitation  of 
my  haste  niight  draw  me  into  acci- 
dents, whereby  the  very  ol)ject  would 
be  lost  which  I  was  so  eager  to  gain  ; 
and  the  storm  within  me  abated,  and 
the  distraction  of  my  bosom,  which  had 
BO  well  nigh  ship-wrecked  my  unfhT- 
fitanding,  was  moderated,  like  the 
billows  of  the  ocean  when  the  blasts 
are  gone  by ;  so  that,  after  I  was 
some  four  or  five  miles  away  from 
yon  house  of  martyrdom  and  mourn- 
ing, a  gracious  dispensation  of  com- 
posure was  poured  into  my  spirit,  and 
I  was  thereby  enabled  to  go  forward 
on  my  journey  with  the  circumspec- 
tion so  needful  in  that  woeful  time. 

I'ut  in  projiortiou  as  my  haste 
slackened,  and  the  fi'ry  violence  of 
the  fears  snl)sided  wherewith  I  was 
liurried  on,  the  icy  tooth  of  the  winter 
grew  feller  in  the  bite,  and  I  became 
in  a  manner  almost  helpless.  The 
mind  within  mo  was  as  if  the  faculty 


of  its  thinking  had  been  frozen  np, 
and  about  the  dawn  of  morni;ig  E 
Avalked  in  a  willcss  manner,  the  blood 
in  my  veins  not  iiDre  henumbcd  in 
its  course  than  was  the  fluency  of  my 
spirit  in  its  power  of  resolution. 

I  had  now,  from  the  time  tliat  our 
covenanted  host  w;is  scattered  ou 
Uullion-green,  travelled  many  miles; 
aiul  though  like  a  barque  drifting 
rudderless  on  the  ocean  tides,  as  the 
stream  flows  and  the  blast  blows,  I 
bad  held  no  constant  course,  still  my 
progress  had  been  havenward,  in-so- 
nuich  that  about  sunrise  I  found  my- 
self, I  cannot  well  tell  how,  on  the 
heights  to  the  south  of  Castlemilk, 
and  the  city  of  Ciasgow,  with  her 
goodly  array  of  many  to'.vcrs  glittering 
in  the  morning  beams,  lay  in  sight 
Koine  few  miles  off  on  the  north.  I 
knew  it  not ;  but  a  herd  I  fell  in  with 
on  tlie  hill  told  me  what  town  it  was, 
and  the  names  of  divers  claclians,  and 
the  houses  of  men  of  substance  in  tho 
lowlands  before  me. 

Among  others  he  pointed  out  to 
me  Kether  Pollock  in  the  midst  of  a 
.'ikirting  of  trees,  the  seat  and  -^'astlo 
of  that  godly  and  much-persecuted 
C'hri-tian  and  true  Covenanter,  Sir 
George  ]\Iaxwell,  the  savour  of  whoso 
piety  was  sjiread  far  and  wide  ;  for  ho 
had  sulTer(<d  much,  both  from  sore  im- 
prisonment and  the  heavy  fine  of  four 
thousand  pounds  imposed  u]ion  him, 
shortly  after  tliat  conclave  of  Satan, 
Middleton's  sederunt  of  tho  pvivy 
council  at  Glasgow. 

Heiiig  tlion  hungered  and  very 
coll.,  after  discoursing  with  the  poor 
lierd.  who  was  a  simple  stripling  in 
the  ignorance  of  innocence,  T  resolved 
to  liiiid  my  way  toward  Nether  i'ol- 
lock,  in  the  confident  failii  that  the 
master  thereof,  having  suffered  HO 
much  himself,  would  know  how  to 
compassionate  a  persecuted  brother. 
And  often  since  I  have  tiiougiit  that 
there  WJia  something  higher  than  rea- 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


147 


son  in  the  instinct  of  this  confidence  ; 
for  indeed,  liad  I  reasoned  from  what 
was  conunonly  said— and,  . -lias  !  owro 
truly — that  the  covenanted  s])irit  was 
bent,  if  not  broken,  1  •\voiihl  have 
feared  to  seek  tlie  pates  of  ISir  (Jeor;,'e 
Maxwell,  lest  the  love  he  had  once 
borne  to  our  cause  liad  been  converted, 
by  his  own  sutVeriiigs  and  apprehen- 
sions, into  dread  or  aversion.  Ikit  I 
was  encouraged  of  the  Spirit  to  pro- 
ceed. 

.lust,  however,  as  T  parted  from 
the  herd,  he  cried  after  nie,  and 
pointed  to  a  man  coming  up  the  hill 
at  some  distance,  Avith  a  gun  in  his 
hand,  and  a  bird-bag  at  his  side,  and 
two  dogs  at  his  heel,  saying,  "Yon'er's 
Sir  (ieorge  IMaxwell  himsel  ganging 
to  the  moors.  lOh  !  but  ho  has  luul 
his  ain  luck  to  fill  his  poek  so  weel 
already." 

Whereupon  I  turned  my  stei)S 
toward  Sir  tieorge,  and,  on  api)roaeli- 
iiighim,  bcseeclied  him  to  have  coui- 
|)a.ssion  on  a  jjoor  famished  fugitive 
from  tlie  I'entlands. 

lie  stoppeil,  and  looked  at  me  in 
a  most  piiiful  maimer,  ami  shook  iiis 
head,  and  said,  Avitii  a  tender  grief  in 
his  voice,  "  It  wa^^  a  hasty  buj^iness, 
and  the  worst  of  it  no  yet  either  heard 
nor  over;  but  let  us  lose  no  time,  for 
you  are  in  much  danger  if  you  tarry 
so  near  to  (Jlasgow,  where  Colonel 
Drummond  came  yesterday  with  a 
detachment  of  soldiers,  and  has 
already  spread  them  over  tho  coun- 
try." 

In  saying  these  words  the  worthy 
gentleman  opened  his  bag,  Avhieh.  in- 
steiul  of  being  filled  with  game,  as  the 
ninrvelling  stripling  had  supposed, 
contained  a  store  of  provi.'iions. 

"  r  came  not  for  pastime  to  the 
moor  this  morning."'  sai.l  he,  ])resi'nt- 
ing  to  me  something  to  eat,  "but  be- 
cause last  night  1  he.'ird  that  many  of 
th(!  onleasts  had  been  seeu  yesterday 
Unking  about  thuu  hills,   and  as  1 


could  not  give  them  harbour,  nor 
even  let  them  have  any  among  my 
tenants,  I  have  come  out  with  some 
of  my  men,  .is  it  were  to  the  shooting, 
in  order  to  succour  them.  But  we 
must  not  remain  long  to.!,'ether.  Take 
with  you  what  you  may  require,  and 
go  away  quickly ;  an<l  J  conn:<el  you 
not  to  t:ikc  the  road  to  Raisley,  Init  to 
cross  witii  what  speed  you  can  to  tho 
western  parts  of  the  shire,  where,  as 
the  [leople  have  not  been  concerned  iu 
the  raid,  there's  the  less  likelihood  of 
Druuimond  sending  any  of  his  force 
in  that  direction." 

Accordingly,  being  thus  plentifully 
supplied  by  the  providence  of  that 
worthy,  my  strength  was  wonderfully 
recruited,  and  my  heart  cheered. 
\\"ith  many  thanks  I  then  hastened 
from  him,  praying  that  his  private 
charitable  intents  might  bring  him 
into  no  trouble.  And  surely  it  was  a 
thing  hallowing  to  the  affections  of 
iiie  i.tflicted  Scottish  nation  to  meet 
with  audi  Christian  fellowship.  For 
to  the  perpetual  renown  of  many 
honourable  West- country  families  bo 
it  s])oken,  both  mast.r  and  men  were 
daily  in  the  nioois  at  that  time  suc- 
ccuiring  the  persecuted,  like  the  ravens 
that  fed  Elijah  in  the  wilderness. 

After  i)artiiig  from  Sir  George 
jNIaxweli,  I  continued  to  bend  my 
course  straight  Avestward,  and  having 
cro  "d  the  road  from  Glasgow  to 
Pait:.ey,  I  directed  my  steps  to  tho 
li! 'Her' parts  of  tho  cotmtry,  being 
minded,  according  to  the  suggestions 
of  that  excellent  person,  to  find  my 
way  by  the  coast  side  into  the  shire  of 
AyV.  'l)Ut  tliouuh  my  anxiety  con- 
cerning my  family  was  now  sharpened 
as  itweroAvith  the  anguksh  of  tire,  I 
Ix'gan  to  rea.son  with  myself  on  llio 
jeoiiardy  I  niijiht  bring  upon  tin  m, 
were  I  to  return  wiiile  the  light  wa,s 
so  fierce  ;  and  in  the  end  1  came  to  the 
detiTmination  only  to  seek  to  know 
how  it  fared  with  them,  and  what  hud 


14d 


RiNGAN  GILHAIzm. 


become  of  my  brother  in  the  battle, 
trusting  tliat  in  due  season  the  Lord 
would  mitigate  the  ire  and  the  cruelty 
that  was  let  loose  on  all  those  who  had 
joined  in  the  Protestation  and  re- 
newed the  Covenant  at  Lanark. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Towards  the  afternoon  I  found  my- 
self among  the  solitudes  of  the  llen- 
frewshire  moors.  Save  at  times  the 
mclancholious  note  of  the  peeseweep, 
neither  the  sound  nor  the  voice  of  any 
living  thing  was  heard  there.  Being 
then  wearied  in  all  my  limbs,  and 
willingly  disposed  to  sleep,  I  laid 
myself  down  on  a  green  hollow  on  the 
banks  of  the  Gryitfe,  where  the  sun 
shone  with  a  pleasing  warmth  for  so 
late  a  period  of  the  year.  I  was  not, 
however,  many  minutes  stretched  on 
the  grass  when  I  heard  a  shrill  whistle 
of  some  one  nigh  at  hand,  and  pre- 
sently also  the  barking  of  a  dog. 
From  the  kindly  cxperiouce  I  had  re- 
ceived of  Sir  George  ISIaxwell's  care 
this  occasioned  at  first  no  alarm  ;  but 
on  looking  up  I  beheld  at  some  dis- 
tance three  soldiers  with  a  dog,  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river. 

Near  the  spot  where  I  lay  there 
was  a  cloven  rock  overspread  with 
brambles  and  slae-bushos.  It  seemed 
to  me  as  if  the  cleft  had  been  pre])ared 
on  purpose  for  a  hiding  ])lace.  1  crept 
into  it,  and  forgetting  Ilim  by  whom  I 
was  protected,  I  trembled  witli  a  base 
fear.  But  in  that  very  moment  lie  at 
once  reV)uked  my  infirmity,  and  gave 
mo  a  singuhir  assurance  of  His  holy 
wardeiisliip,  by  causing  an  adder  to 
come  towards  me  from  tlie  roots  of 
the  bushes,  as  if  to  force  mo  to  lleo 
into  tiie  view  of  the  pursuers.  Just, 
however,  as  in  my  horror  1  was  on  tlie 
point  of  doing  so,  tlie  reptile  looked 
nt  me  with  its  glittering  eyes,  and 
then  suddenly  leaped  away  into  the 


brake  ; — at  the  same  moment  a  hare 
was  raised  by  the  dog,  and  the  sol- 
diers following  it  with  shouts  and 
halloes,  were  soon  carried,  by  the  im- 
petuosity of  the  natural  incitement 
which  man  has  for  tlie  chase,  far  from 
the  spot,  and  out  of  siglit. 

This  atlventure  had  for  a  time  tliO 
effect  of  rousing  me  from  out  tiie  weari- 
ness  with  wliicli  I  had  been  ojipressed, 
and  I  rose  and  continued  my  course 
westward,  over  the  hills,  till  I  came  in 
sight  of  the  Shaws-water, — the  stream 
of  which  I  followed  for  more  than  a 
mile  with  a  beating  heart ;  for  the 
valley  through  which  it  Hows  is  bare 
and  open,  and  had  any  of  tlie  perse- 
cutors been  then  on  the  neighbouring 
hills,  I  must  have  soon  been  seen  ;  but 
gradually  my  thoughts  became  more 
composed,  and  the  terrors  of  the  poor 
hunted  creature  again  became  changed 
into  confidence  and  liope. 

In  this  reiK'Aved  spirit  I  slackened 
my  pace,  and  seeing,  at  a  short  dis- 
tance down  the  stream,  before  me  a 
tree  laid  across  for  a  bridge,  I  was 
comforted  with  the  persuasion  tiiat 
some  farm-town  could  not  be  far  off, 
so  I  resolved  to  linger  about  till  the 
gloaming,  and  then  to  follow  the  path 
wliich  led  over  the  bridge.  For,  not 
knowing  how  the  inhabitants  in  those 
parts  stood  inclined  in  their  con- 
sciences, I  was  doubtful  to  trust  myself 
in  their  power  until  1  had  made  some 
espionage.  Accordingly,  as  the  sun 
was  still  high  above  tlie  hills,  I  kept 
the  hoUowest  track  by  tiie  river's 
brink,  and  went  down  its  co'.u'se  for 
some  little  time,  till  I  arrived  where 
the  hills  come  forward  into  the  valley  ; 
tiien  I  climbed  up  a  steep  hazel  bank, 
and  sat  down  to  rest  myself  on  an 
open  grt'cn  plot  on  the  brow,  wliere  a 
gentle  Avest  wind  shook  tiie  boughs 
around  me,  as  if  the  silent  spirits  of 
the  solitude  were  slowly  puhising  by. 

In  this  place  I  had  not  been  long 
when  I  heard,  aa  if  it  were  not  far  off, 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


149 


a  sullen  roar  of  fallinrj  waters  rising 
hoarsely  with  the  breeze,  and  listening 
again,  anotlier  sound  came  solemnly 
mingled  witli  it,  which  1  had  soon  the 
del iglit  to  discover  was  the  holy  har- 
mony of  Avorship,  and  to  my  cars  it 
was  as  the  first  sound  of  the  rushing 
water  which  INIoses  brought  from  the 
rock  to  those  of  the  thirsty  Israelites, 
and  1  was  for  some  time  so  ravished 
with  joy  that  I  could  not  move  from 
the  spot  where  I  was  sitting. 

At  last  the  sweet  melody  of  the 
psalin  died  away,  and  1  arose  and 
went  towards  the  airt  from  which  it 
had  come ;  but  as  1  advanced,  the 
noise  of  the  roaring  waters  grew  loud- 
er and  deeper,  till  they  were  as  the 
breaking  of  tiio  summer  waves  along 
the  Ardrossan  shore,  and  presently  I 
found  myself  on  tiie  brink  of  a  cliff, 
over  which  the  river  tumbled  into  a 
rugged  clinsni,  wiierc  the  rocks  were 
skirted  witli  lealluss  brambles  and 
hazel,  and  garmented  with  ivy. 

On  a  green  sloping  bank,  at  a  short 
distance  below  the  waterfall,  screened 
by  tlie  rocks  and  trees  on  the  one  side, 
and  by  the  rising  ground  on  the  other, 
about  tlurty  of  the  Lord's  ilock,  old 
and  young,  were  seated  around  the  feet 
of  an  aged  grey-haired  man,  who  was 
preaching  to  them, — his  left  hand 
resting  on  his  stall", — his  riglit  was 
raised  in  exhortation, — and  a  Bible 
lay  on  the  ground  beside  him. 

I  stood  for  the  space  of  a  minute 
looking  at  the  mournful  yet  edifying 
sight, — mournful  it  was,  to  think  how 
(lod's  people  were  so  afflicted,  ihat 
they  durst  not  do  tlieir  Heavenly  King 
homage  but  in  secrecy, — and  edifying, 
that  their  constancy  was  of  such  an 
enduring  nature  that  ])ersecntion 
served  but  to  test  it,  as  lire  does  the 
purity  of  gold. 

As  1  was  so  standing  on  the  rock 
above  the  linn,  the  preacher  happened 
to  lift  his  eyes  towards  mo,  and  the 
hparers,  who  were  looking  at  him, 


turned  round,  and  hastily  rising,  be- 
gan to  scatter  and  flee  away,  I  at- 
tempted to  cry  to  them  not  to  be 
afraid,  but  the  sound  of  the  cataract 
drowned  my  voice.  I  then  ran  as 
swiftly  as  I  could  towards  the  spot  of 
worship,  and  reached  the  top  of  tlic 
sloping  bank  just  fis  a  young  man  was 
assisting  Mr  Swinton  to  mount  a 
horse  which  stood  ready  saddled,  tied 
to  a  tree ;  for  the  preacher  was  no 
other  than  that  godly  man  ;  but  tho 
courteous  reader  must  from  his  own 
kind  heart  supply  what  passed  at  our 
meeting. 

Fain  he  was  at  that  time  to  havo 
gone  no  farther  on  with  the  exercise, 
and  to  have  asked  many  questions  of 
;ne  concerning  the  expedition  to  the 
Pentlands  ;  but  I  imj^ortuned  iiim  to 
continue  his  blessed  work,  for  I  longed 
to  fast.'  the  sweet  water  of  life  once 
more  from  so  hallowed  a  fountain; 
md,  moreover,  there  was  a  woman 
ith  a  baby  at  her  bosom,  which  she 
Jiul  brought  to  be  baptized  from  a 
neigh t)Ouring  farm,  called  tho  Kil- 
locheun, — !uid  a  young  couple  of  a 
composeil  and  -ohv  aspec  from  tho 
Back-o'- the  -  \\orld,  waitm:,'  to  bo 
joined  together,  with  his  blessiIll-^  in 
marriage. 

Wlien  he  had  clos*  1  hia  sermon 
and  done  these  thing-  I  went  with 
him,  walking  at  the  side  of  his  horse, 
discoursing  of  our  nu.ny  grievous 
anxieties  ;  and  ho  told  me  th  '.  after 
being  taken  to  (llasgow  aiil  'ufined 
in  prison  there  like  a  \i:  .actor  for 
tliirteen  days,  he  had  been  examined 
by  the  15ishop's  court,  and  through 
the  mediation  of  one  of  tho  magi- 
strates, a  friend  of  his  own,  wlio  had 
a  soft  word  to  say  witli  the  Bishop, 
he  was  set  free  witli  only  a  menace, 
and  an  admonition  not  to  go  within 
twenty  miles  of  his  own  jiarish,  under 
pain  of  being  dealt  with  according 
to  the  edict. 

Couversing  iu  this  manner,  and 


150 


RING  AN  GILTIAIZE. 


followed  by  divers  of  those  wlio  had 
been  Folaced  Avitli  his  proaoliiiijCf,  for 
the  most  p;ivt  pious  folic  bcloiiginjf  tu 
the  town  of  Invcikip,  we  caino  to  a 
bridge  over  the  river. 

"  Hero,  liiiiuaii,"  said  he,  •'  wc 
must  jiart  for  the  present,  for  it  is  not 
meet  to  create  susjticion.  Tliero  are 
mauy  of  the  faithful,  no  doubt,  in 
thir  parts,  but  it's  no  to  bo  denied  tiiat 
there  are  likewise  fifoat.^  among  the 
sheep.  The  liady  of  Dunrod,  where 
I  am  now  going,  is,  without  question,  a 
precious  vessel  free  of  crack  or  flaw, 
but  the  Laird  is  of  a  courtly  com- 
plioncy,  and  their  neighbour.  Cars- 
well,  she  tells  me,  is  a  man  of  the 
dourest  idolatry,  his  mother  having 
been  a  papistical  woman,  and  his 
father,  through  all  the  lime  of  the 
First  King  Charles,  an  eydeut  ettler 
for  preferment." 

So  we  then  parted,  he  going  his 
way  to  Dunrod  Ca.stlc,  and  one  of 
the  hearers,  a  farmer  hard  by,  offer- 
ing me  shelter  for  the  night,  I  went 
with  hiin. 

The  decent,  thoughtful,  elderly 
man,  who  so  kindly  invited  me  to  his 
house,  was  by  name  called  Gideon 
Kemp  ;  and  as  we  were  going  towards 
it  together,  he  told  me  of  tlivers  things 
that  worthy  ]\Ir  Swinton  had  not  time 
to  do ;  among  the  rest,  that  tin; 
preaching  I  had  fallen  in  with  at  the 
linn,  which  should  thenceforth  be 
called  the  Covenanters' Linn,  was  the 
first  taste  of  Gosjiel-fother  that  the 
scattered  sheep  of  those  parts  liad 
tasted  for  more  than  eigiit  months. 

"Wiiat's  to  come  out  o'  a'  this 
oppres.sion,"  said  he,  "is  wonderful 
to  think  o'.  It's  no  in  the  jiower  of 
nature  that  ony  government  or  earthly 
institution  framed  by  the  ^\it  and  will 
o'  man  can  withstand  a  whole  jieople. 
The  jirelates  may  ])ersecutc,  and  the 
King's  jiower  nuiyback  tlieir  ini<;uitics, 
but  the  day  and  the  hour  cannot  bo 
fur  off  when  both  the  power  and  tho 


persecutors  will  be  set  at  nought,  and 
the  sense  of  Avhafc  is  needful  and 
right,  not  what  is  fantastical  and 
arbitrary,  govern  agaiii  in  tho  councils 
of  this  reahn.  I  say  not  this  in  the 
boast  of  ])redietion  and  ])r()t)hecy,  but 
as  a  tiling  that  inust  come  to  jiass  ; 
for  no  man  can  say,  that  the  peace- 
ful worshipping  according  to  tlio 
Word  is  either  a  sin,  a  shame,  or  an 
offence  against  reason ;  but  the  ex- 
tortioning of  lines,  and  the  desolation 
of  families,  for  attending  the  same, 
is  manifestly  guilt  of  a  dark  dye,  and 
tho  Judge  of  llighteousncss  will 
avenge  it." 

As  we  were  thus  walking  sedately 
towards  his  dwelling,  1  observed  and 
pointed  out  to  him  a  lassie  coming 
running  towards  us.  It  was  his 
daughter  ;  and  when  she  came  near, 
panting  and  out  of  breath  with  her 
haste,  she  said — 

"  (),  father,  ye  maunnagang  hamo  ; 
— twa  of  Carswell's  men  hae  been 
spooring  for  you,  and  they  had  swords 
and  guns.  They're  o'er  the  hill  to  tiie 
linn,  for  wee  Willie  tolt  thtni  ycwere 
gano  there  to  a  preaching." 

"Tins  comes,"  said  the  afllioted 
(lideon,  "  of  speaking  of  secret  things 
before  bairns  ;  wlia  could  hae  thought, 
that  a  creature  no  four  years  old  would 
have  been  an  instrument  of  discovery  ? 
—  I  fill  no  be  safe  now  for  you  to 
come  hanie  wi'  me,  which  I'm  wae  for, 
as  ye're  sac  sorely  weary't ;  but  there's 
a  frien  o'  ours  that  lives  ayont  tlio 
II()lin«tono-hill,  aboon  the  ;udd  kirk  ; 
I'll  convey  you  thjther,  and  she'll  gi'e 
you  a  shelter  for  the  night." 

.So  wo  turned  back,  and  again 
cross(  the  bridge  before  spoken  of, 
and  held  our  course  towards  the 
housi  of  Gideon  Kemp's  wife's  step- 
mot  hor.  lUit  it  was  not  ordain'd  that 
1  Mas  yet  to  enjoy  the  protection  of  a 
raftered  dwelling  ;  for  just  as  wo  cam(! 
to  the  Daffburn,  down  the  glen  of 
which  my  godly  guide  was  mindct  to 


niNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


151 


conduct  me,  as  being  a  leas  observable 
way  tliau  the  open  road,  lie  saw  one 
of  Ardgowan's  men  coming  towards 
lis,  and  tliat  family  being  of  the  pio- 
geny  of  the  Stewarts,  were  inclined 
to  the  ])ri'latic  side. 

"  Hide  yoursel,"  said  lie,  "  among 
the  bushes." 

And  I  den't  myself  in  a  nook  of 
the  glen,  where  I  overheard  what 
pn8(0  1. 

'•  1  thought,  Gideon,"  said  the  lad 
to  him,  "that  ye  Avould  hao  been  at 
the  conventicle  this  afternoon.  We 
liao  heard  o't  a' ;  and  Carswell  has 
sworn  that  he'll  liae  baith  doited 
Swinton  and  Dunrod's  leddy  at  (Glas- 
gow afore  the  morn,  or  he'll  mak  a 
tawnle  o'  her  tower." 

'•  Carswell  shouldna  crack  sao 
croose,"  replied  Gideon  Kemp;  "for 
though  his  castle  stands  proud  in  the 
green  valley,  the  time  may  yet  come 
when  lior.-ses  and  carts  will  be  driven 
through  his  ha',  and  the  foul  toad 
and  the  cauld  snail  be  the  only  visitors 
around  the  unblest  hearth  o'  Cars- 
well." 

The  way  in  which  that  gifted  man 
said  these  words  made  my  heart  dinlc; 
but  I  hae  lived  to  hear  tliat  the  spirit 
of  prophecy  was  assuredly  in  them  : 
for,  since  the  llevolution,  Carswell's 
family  has  gone  all  to  drift,  and 
liis  house  become  a  wastage  ; — folk 
say,  a  new  road  that's  talked  o'  be- 
tween Inverkip  and  Greenock,  is  to 
go  through  the  very  middle  o't,  and 
HO  mak'  it  an  awful  monument  of 
what  awaits  and  will  betide  all  those 
who  have  no  mercy  on  their  fellow- 
creatnres,  and  would  exalt  themselves 
by  abetting  tlie  .strength  of  the  god- 
less aiid  the  strength  of  the  oppres- 
sors. 

Ardgowan's  man  was  daunted  by 
the  words  of  (iideon  Kemp,  and  re- 
plied in  a  subdued  manner,  "It's 
really  a  mehincholious  thing  to  think 
that  folk  should  hae  gone    so   wud 


about  ministers  and  religion  ; — but 
tak'  care  of  yoursel,  Gideon,  for  a 
party  of  soldiers  hae  come  the  day  to 
Cartsdj'ke  to  take  up  ony  of  the 
Kullion-Green  rebels  that  hae  fled  to 
thir  ])arfs,  cind  they  catcht,  I  hear,  in  a 
j.ublic  in  the  Stenners.  three  men,  and 
iiave  sent  them  to  Gla.'-gow  to  be 
hanged." 

1  verily  thought  my  heart  would  at 
this  have  leaped  out  of  my  bosom. 

"  Surely,"  replied  Gideon  Kemp, 
"the  wrath  of  government  is  not  so 
unquenchable,  that  a'  the  misguided 
folk  concernt  in  the  rising  are  doom't 
to  die.  IJut  hae  ye  heard  the  names 
of  the  prisoners,  or  where  they  belong 
to?" 

"  They're  o'  the  shire  o'  Ayr,  some- 
where frae  the  skirts  o'  Irvine  or  Kil- 
winning ;  and  I  was  likew'ise  told 
their  names,  but  they're  no  of  a 
familiarity  easy  to  be  remembered." 

The  horror  which  fell  upon  me  at 
hearing  this  made  me  forget  my  own 
peril,  and  I  sprung  out  of  the  place 
of  my  concealment,  and  cried — 

"  Do  you  ken  if  any  of  them  was 
of  the  name  of  Gilhaize?  " 

Ardgowan's  nnn  was  astounded  at 
seeing  me  standing  before  him  in  so 
instanter  a  manner,  and  before  making 
any  response,  he  looked  at  (iideon 
Kemp  Avith  a  jealous  and  troubled  eye. 

"Nay,"  said  I,  "you  shall  deal 
honestly  with  me,  and  from  this  spot 
you  shall  noi  depart  till  you  have 
promised  to  use  nae  scaith  to  this 
worthy  man."'  So  I  took  hold  of  him 
by  the  skirts  of  his  coat,  aiul  added, 
— '•  Ye're  in  the  hands  of  one  that 
tribulation  has  made  desperate.  I, 
too,  am  a  rebel,  as  ye  .«ay,  from 
riidlion-green,  and  my  life  is  forfiired 
to  tlio  ravenous  de-ires  of  those  who 
made  the  laws  that  have  created  our 
ofTence.  IJut  fear  no  wrong,  if  you 
have  aught  of  Christian  compassion 
in  you.  Was  Gilhaize  the  name  of 
any  of  the  prisoners  V  " 


152 


EINGAN  GILHATZE. 


"  I'll  no  swear't,"  was  his  answer  ; 
"but  I  tliink  it  was  sometliing  like 
that; — one  of  them,  I  think,  they 
called  Finnie." 

"  Robin  Finnie,"  cried  I,  dropping^ 
his  coat,  "  he  was  wi'  my  brother  ;  I 
caima  doubt  it ;  "  and  the  thouffht  of 
their  fate  flooded  my  heart,  and  the 
tears  flowed  from  my  eyes. 

The  better  nature  of  Ardgowan's 
man  was  moved  at  the  sight  of  my 
distress,  and  ho  said  to  Gideon 
Kemp — 

"  Ye  needna  bo  fcar't,  Gideon  ;  I 
liope  ye  ken  mair  o'  me  than  to  think 
I  would  betray  cither  friend  or  nc- 
quaintance.  13ut  gang  na'  to  the 
toun,  for  a'  yon'er's  in  a  state  o'  imco 
wi'  the  news  o'  Avhat's  being  done  the 
day  at  Cartsdyke,  and  everybody's  in 
the  hourly  dread  and  fear  o'  some  o' 
the  blackeuffs  coming  to  devour  them." 

"  That's  spoken  like  yoursel', 
Johnnie  Jamioson,"  said  Gideon 
Kemp  ;"  but  this  poor  man,"  mean- 
ing mo,  "  has  iiad  a  day  o'  weary 
travel  among  the  moors,  and  is  greatly 
in  need  of  refreshment  and  a  place  of 
rest.  Wlien  the  sword,  Johnnie,  is 
in  the  hand,  it's  an  honourable  thing 
to  deal  stoutly  wi'  the  foe  ;  but  when 
forlorn  and  dejectit,  and  more  house- 
less than  the  beasts  of  the  field,  he's 
no  longer  an  adversary,  but  a  man 
that  we're  bound  by  the  laws  of  God 
and  nature  to  help." 

Jamieson  remained  for  a  short 
space  in  a  dubious  manner,  aiW  look- 
ing mildly  toward  me,  he  said,  "  Gang 
you  your  ways,  (iideon  Kemp,  and 
I'll  ne'er  say  I  saw  you  ;  and  let  your 
friend  den  himsel'  in  tiic  glen,  and 
trust  me  :  naebody  in  a'  Inverkip  will 
jealouse  that  ony  of  our  house  would 
help  or  harbour  a  covenanted  rebel ; 
so  I'll  can  bring  him  to  some  place  o' 
succour  in  the  gloaming,  wiiere  he'll 
be  safer  than  he  could  wi'  you." 

Troubled  and  sorrowful  as  I  was, 
I  could  not  but  observe  the  look  of 


soul-searching  scrutiny  that  Gideon 
Kemp  cast  at  Jamieson,  who  himself 
was  sensible  of  his  mistrust,  for  ho 
replied— 

"Dinnamisdootme,  Gideon  Kemp; 
I  would  sooner  put  my  right  hand  in 
the  fire,  and  burn  it  to  a  cinder,  than 
harm  tlic  hair  of  a  man  that  was  in 
my  power." 

"  And  I'll  believe  you,"  said  I ; 
"so  guide  me  wheresoever  you  will." 

"  Ye'll  never  thrive,  Johnnie 
Jamieson,"  added  honest  Gideon, 
"  if  ye're  no  sincere  in  tiiis  trust." 

So  after  some  little  furtlier  com- 
muning, the  worthy  farmer  left  us, 
and  1  followed  Jamieson  down  tho 
])iiff-bnrn,  till  we  came  to  a  mill  that 
stood  in  the  hollow  of  the  glen,  tho 
wheel  Avhercof  was  happing  in  the 
Avater  with  a  pleasant  and  peaceful 
din  tliat  sounded  consolatory  to  my 
hearing  after  the  solitudes,  the  storms 
and  tlie  accidents,  I  liail  met  with. 

"  Bide  you  here,"  s^aid  Jamieson  ; 
"  the  gudeman's  ane  o'  your  folk,  but 
his  wife's  a  thought  camstrarie  at 
times,  and  before  I  tak  you  into  tho 
mill  I  maun  look  thatsiie's  no  there." 

So  he  hastened  forward,  and  going 
to  tiie  door,  went  in,  leaving  mo 
standing  at  the  sluice  of  tlie  mill- 
lade,  where,  however,  I  had  not  occa- 
sion to  wait  long,  for  presently  he  came 
out,  and  beckoned  to  me  with  his  hand 
to  come  quickly. 

Sauners  I'aton,  as  the  miller  was 
called,  received  me  in  a  kindly  nuiu- 
ner,  saying  to  .Famieson — 

"I  aye  thought,  Johnnie,  that 
some  day  ye  would  got  a  cast  o'  grace, 
and  the  Lord  has  boon  bountiful  to 
you  at  lasit,  in  putting  it  in  your  power 
to  be  aiding  in  such  a  Samaritan 
work.  IJut,  "  he  added,  turning  to 
me,  "it's  no  just  in  my  power  to  do 
for  you  what  I  could  wis  ;  for,  to  keep 
peace  in  the  house,  I'm  at  times,  like 
many  other  married  men,  obligated 
to  let  the  gudewifo  tak  her  ain  way ; 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


15^ 


for  wliich  reason,  I  doubt  ye'U  liae  to 
iiiak  your  bed  here  in  the  mill." 

While  he  wjis  thus  speaking',  we 
heard  the  tongue  of  Mrs  Patou  ring- 
ing like  a  bell. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  Johnnie 
Jamieson,"  cried  the  miller,  "gang  out 
and  stop  lier  frae  coming  Iiitlicr  till  I 
get  the  poor  man  hiilden  in  the  loft." 

Jamieson  ran  out,  leaving  us  to- 
gether, and  the  miller  placing  a  ladder, 
I  mounted  up  into  the  loft,  where  he 
spread  sacks  for  a  bed  to  me,  and  told 
me  to  lie  quiet,  and  in  the  dusk  he 
would  bring  mo  something  to  eat. 
Ikit  before  he  had  well  descended,  and 
removed  the  ladder  from  the  trap- 
door, in  came  his  wife. 

"  Jsoo,  Sauners  Faton,"  she  ex- 
claimed, "  ye  see  wliat  1  liae  aye  pro- 
])lu'sied  to  you  is  fast  coming  to  pass. 
'I'lie  King's  forces  are  at  Cartsdyke, 
and  tliey'U  be  here  the  morn,  and 
Aviiat's  to  come  o'  you  then,  wi'  your 
covenanted  havers?  Ikit,  Sauners 
Taton,  I  hae  ae  thing  to  tell  ye,  and 
that's  no  twa :  ye'U  this  night  flit 
your  camp  ;  ye'U  tak  to  tiie  liills,  as 
I'm  a  living  woman,  and  no  bide  to  be 
hang't  at  your  ain  door,  and  to  get 
your  right  Iiand  chappit  aff.  and  sent 
to  Lanark  for  a  show,  as  they  say  is 
done  an  doing  wi'  a'  the  Covenanters." 

*'  Naebody,  Kate,  will  meildle  wi' 
mo,  diuna  ye  bo  fear't,"  replied  the 
miller;  "I  hae  done  nae  ill,  but 
pntiently  follow't  my  calling  at  home, 
so  what  hae  I  to  dread?  " 

"  Did  na  ye  sign  the  remonstrance 
to  the  laird  against  the  curate's  com- 
ing; ca'  ye  that  naething?  Ye'U  to 
the  caves  this  night,  Sauners  Paton, 
if  tliu  life  bide  in  your  body.  What 
a  sight  it  would  be  to  me  to  see  you 
])Ut  to  death,  and  m.aybe  to  lin  a  sword 
of  caiild  iron  running  through  my  ain 
body,  for  being  colleague  wi'  you  ;  for 
ye  ken  that  it's  the  law  now  to  mak 
wives  responsible  for  their  gudemen." 

"Kate  Warden,"  rcpUed  the  inUler, 


with  a  sedate  voice,  "in  sma.'  things 
1  hae  ne'er  set  myse\  vera  obdoorately 
against  you." 

"Na!  if  I  e'er  heard  the  like  o' 
that!"  exclaimed  Mrs  Paton.  "A 
cross-graint  man,  that  has  just  been 
as  a  Covenant  and  Kemonstrance  to 
hap{)iness,  submitting  hinisel  in  no 
manner  o'  way,  either  to  me  or  those 
in  authority  over  ns,  to  talk  o'  sma' 
things !  Banners  Paton,  ye're  a  born 
rebel  to  your  King,  and  kintra,  and 
wife.  But  this  night  Pll  put  it  out  of 
your  power  to  rebel  on  me.  Stop  the 
mill,  Sauners  Paton,  and  come  out, 
and  tak  tlie  door  on  your  back.  I  hae 
owre  n)eikle  regard  for  you  to  let  you 
bide  in  jeopardy  ony  langer  here." 

"  Consider,"  said  Sauner.s,  a  littlo 
dourly,  as  if  lie  meditated  rebellion, 
"  that  this  is  the  season  of  December ; 
and  where  would  yc  hae  me  to  gang 
in  sic  a  niglit?  " 

"  A  grave  in  the  kirk-yard's  caulder 
than  a  tramp  on  the  hills.  'My  jo, 
ye'U  hae  to  conform  ;  for,  posittevely, 
Sauners  Paton,  I'm  positive,  and  for 
tliis  niglit,  till  the  blast  has  blawn  by, 
ye'U  hae  to  seek  a  refuge  out  o'  the 
reach  of  the  troopers'  spear. — liae  yc 
stoppit  the  mill  ?  " 

Tlie  mistress  was  of  so  propugna- 
cious  a  temper,  that  the  poor  man  saw 
no  better  for't  than  to  yield  obedience 
so  far,  as  to  pull  the  string  that  turned 
off  the  water  of  the  mill-lade  from  the 
wheel. 

"Noo,"  said  he,  "to  pleasure  you, 
Kate,  I  hae  stoppit  the  mill,  and  to 
pleasure  me,  I  hope  ye'U  consent  to 
stop  your  tongue  ;  for,  to  be  plain  wi' 
you,  frae  my  ain  house  I'll  no  gang 
this  night ;  and  ye  shall  hae't,  t-inco 
ye  will  iiae't,  I  hae  a  reason  of  my 
ain  for  biding  at  hame,  and  at  Iiame  I 
will  bide  ; — na,  what's  mair,  Kate,  it's 
a  reason  that  I'll  no'tell  to  you." 

"  Dear  pity  me,  Sauner.s  Paton  !  " 
cried  his  wife;  "ye're  surely  grown 
o'  late  au  unco  reasonable  man.    llut 


154 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


Lcddy  Stuart's  quadroopod  bird  they 
ca'  a  parrot,  can  come  o'er  and  o'er 
again  ony  word  as  weol  as  you  can  do 
reason ;  but  reason  liere  or  reason 
there,  I'll  ne'er  consent  to  let  you  stay 
to  bo  put  to  tlie  swoi'd  before  my  e'en  ; 
so  come  out  o'  the  mill  and  lock  the 
door." 

To  this  the  honest  man  made  no 
immediate  answer ;  but,  after  a  short 
(silence,  he  said — 

"  Kate,  my  queen,  I'll  no  say  that 
what  ye  say  is  far  wrang  ;  it  may  be 
as  weel  for  me  to  tak  a  dauner  to  the 
top  o'  Dunrod  :  but  some  providing 
should  be  made  for  a  sojourn  a'  night 
in  the  wilderness.  The  sun  has  been 
set  a  lucky  hour,  and  ye  may  as  weel 
get  the  supper  ready,  and  a  creel  wi' 
some  vivers  prepared." 

"Noo,  that's  like  yoursel,  Sauners 
Paton,"  replied  his  wife  ;  "  and  surely 
my  endeavour  shall  not  be  wanting 
to  mak  you  comfortable." 

At  these  words  Jamicson  came  also 
into  the  mill,  and  said,  "  I  hope,  mil- 
ler, the  wife  lias  gotten  you  persuaded 
o'  your  danger,  and  that  ye'il  conform 
to  her  kind  wishes."  .  By  which  I  dis- 
cernt,  that  ho  had  purposely  egget 
her  on  to  urge  her  guderaan  to  take 
the  moors  for  the  advantage  of  me. 

"  O,  aye,"  replied  the  miller  ;  ''  I 
could  na  but  be  consenting,  poor 
queen,  to  lighten  Iier  anxieties ;  and 
though  for  a  season,"  he  added,  in  a 
way  that  I  well  understood,  "  the  eyes 
above  may  be  closed  in  slumber,  a 
watcii  will  be  set  to  gi'e  the  signal 
when  it's  time  to  be  up  and  ready ; 
tliorcfore  let  us  go  info  tlio  house,  and 
cause  no  further  molestation  here." 

The  three  then  retired,  and.  com- 
forted by  the  words  of  this  friendly 
mystery.  I  confided  myself  tothecnre 
of  the  defenceless  sleeper's  ever-Avake- 
fid  Sentinel,  and  for  several  hours 
enjoyed  a  refreshing  oblivion  from  all 
my  troubles  and  fears. 

Considering    the    fatiguo    I    had 


undergone  for  so  many  days  and 
nights  togetlier,  my  slumber  might 
have  been  prolonged  perhaps  till 
morning,  but  the  worthy  miller,  who 
withstood  the  urgency  of  his  terrified 
wife  to  depart  till  he  thought  I  was 
rested,  soon  after  the  moon  rose  came 
into  the  mill  and  wakened  me  to  make 
ready  for  the  road.  So  I  left  my  couch 
in  the  loft,  and  came  down  to  him ; 
and  he  conducted  me  a  little  way  from 
the  house,  where  bidding  me  wait,  ho 
went  back,  and  speedily  returned  with 
a  small  basket  in  his  hand  of  the 
stores  which  the  mistress  had  provided 
for  himself. 

Having  put  the  handle  into  my 
hand  he  led  me  down  to  a  steep  shoul- 
der of  a  precipice  nigh  the  sea-shore, 
where,  telling  me  to  follow  the  patii 
along  the  bottom  of  the  hills,  he  shook 
mo  with  a  brotherly  affection  by  the 
hand,  and  bade  me  farewell, — saying, 
in  a  joco.'o  manner,  to  lighten  the 
heaviness  with  whicli  he  saw  my  sjiirit 
was  oppressed, — that  tho  gudewifo 
would  make  baith  him  and  Johnnie 
Jainieson  suffer  in  tho  body  for  tlio 
fright  she  had  gotten.  '•  For  ye  should 
ken,"  said  he  "  that  the  terror  she  was 
in  was  a'  bred  o'  Johnnie's  pawkerie. 
lie  knew  that  she  was  aye  in  a  di'ead 
that  I  would  be  laid  hands  on  ever 
since  I  signed  the  remonstrance  to  tiie 
laird ;  and  Joiinnio  tiiought,  that  if 
he  could  get  her  to  send  me  out  pro- 
vided for  the  hills,  we  would  find  a 
way  to  make  the  provision  yours.  So, 
gude  be  wi'  you,  and  dinna  be  overly 
downhearted,  when  ye  see  how  won- 
derfully ye  are  ta'en  care  o'." 

Being  thus  cherished,  cheered,  and 
exhorted,  by  the  worthy  miller  of  In- 
verldp,  I  went  on  my  way  with  a  sense 
of  renewed  hope  dawning  upon  my 
heart.  Tho  night  was  frosty,  but 
clear,  and  the  rippling  of  the  sea  glit- 
tered as  with  a  sparkling  of  gladness 
in  the  beams  of  tlio  moon  then  walking 
in  tho  fulness  of  her  beauty  over  those 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


165 


fii'Idfl  of  liolincss  whoso  perennial 
ilowcvs  are  tlH>  ovcrlastin^'  stars.  IJut 
tlioiii,'li  for  u  little  •wiiilu  my  floul  par- 
look  of  tlio  biossL'tl  tranquillity  of  tiio 
iiiiilit,  1  had  not  travilled  far  wian 
tliu  lieavcn  of  my  liiouj,'iit3  was  over- 
cast, (iiief  for  my  brother  in  the 
lianils  of  tlio  oppressors,  and  anxiety 
for  tlio  treasures  of  my  lieartli,  whose 
danj^vrs  were  doubtless  increased  by 
the  part  1  had  taken  in  the  raid, 
cloiuled  my  reason  with  many  fearful 
auuuries  and  doleful  anticipations. 
All  care  for  my  own  safety  was  lost  in 
those  ov'i whelming  reflections,  in  so 
much  that  when  tho  morning  air 
breatlicd  upon  mo  as  I  reached  the 
brow  of  Kilbride  Hill,  had  I  been  tlien 
(jnestioned  as  to  the  manner  I  had 
come  there,  verily  I  could  have  given 
no  account,  for  I  saw  not,  neither  did 
1  hear,  for  many  mih-S,  auglit,  1)ut  only 
the  dismal  tragedies  Avith  which  liusy 
imagination  rent  my  heart  with  aftlic- 
tioii,  and  flooded  my  eyes  with  the 
gushing  streams  of  a  softer  sorrow. 

ihit  though  my  journey  was  a  con- 
tinued experi((nce  of  iinvard  suffering, 
I  met  with  no  cause  of  dread,  till  I 
Avas  witln'n  sight,  of  Kilwinning. 
1  laving  purposed  not  to  go  home  until 
1  should  learn  wliat  liad  taken  place 
iu  my  absence,  I  turned  aside  to  the 
house  of  an  acqnaintnnce,  one  William 
iirekenrig,  a  covenanted  Christian,  to 
inquire,  ami  to  rest  myself  till  the 
evening.  Scarcely,  however,  had  I 
entered  on  the  path  that  led  to  his 
door  wlien  a  misjiiving  of  mind  fell 
upon  me,  and  1  halted  and  looked  to 
sec  if  all  about  the  mailing  was  in  its 
Monted  state.  His  catlle  were  on  tlie 
stubble — the  smoke  stood  over  the 
lunihead  in  the  lown  of  the  morning — 
the  pldugli  lay  unyoked  on  the  croft, 
Imt  it  had  been  latelynRed,ftnd  the  fur- 
1  ows  of  part  of  a  rig  were  newly  turned. 
Still  thero  was  a  something  that  sent 
polenniity  and  coldness  into  my  soul. 
J  saw  nobody  about  the  farm,  which 


at  that  time  of  tho  day  was  strange 
and  unaccountable ;  nevertlieless  I 
hastened  forward,  and  coming  to  a 
park-yett,  I  saw  my  old  friend  leaning 
over  it  with  his  head  towards  me.  I 
called  to  him  by  name,  but  he  heeded 
me  not ;  I  ran  to  him  and  touched  him, 
but  he  was  dead. 

The  ground  around  where  he  liad 
rested  himself  and  expired  was  covered 
with  his  blood ;  and  it  was  plain  he  had 
not  been  shot  long,  for  he  was  warm, 
and  the  stream  still  trickled  from  the 
wound  in  his  side. 

I  have  no  words  to  tell  what  1  felt 
at  the  sight  of  this  woeful  murder  ;  but 
I  ran  for  help  to  the  house  ;  and  just 
as  I  turned  the  corner  of  tlic  barn, 
two  soldiers  met  me,  and  I  became 
their  prisoner. 

One  of  them  was  a  ruthless  repro- 
bate, who  wanted  to  put  me  to  death  ; 
but  the  other  beggit  my  life  :  at  the 
moment,  however,  my  spirit  was  as  it 
were  in  the  midst  of  thunders  and  a 
whirlwind. 

They  took  from  me  my  pistols  and 
my  grandfather's  sword,  and  I  could 
not  speak  ;  and  tied  my  hands  behind 
me  with  a  cutting  string,  and  I  thought 
it  was  a  dream.  The  air  I  breathed 
was  as  suffocating  as  suli)hur;  I 
gasped  with  the  sandy  thirst  of  the 
burning  desert,  and  my  throat  was  as 
the  drowth  of  tho  parched  earth  in 
the  wilderness  of  Kedar. 

Soon  after  this  other  soldiers  came 
from  another  farm,  where  they  had 
been  committing  similar  outrages,  and 
they  laughed  and  were  merry  as  they 
rehearsed  their  exploits  of  guilt.  They 
taunted  me  and  plucked  mo  by  tho 
lip  ;  but  their  boasting  of  what  they 
had  done  flaslied  more  iiercely  over 
my  spirit  than  even  these  indigni- 
ties, and  I  inwardly  chided  the  slow 
auger  of  the  mysterious  Heavens 
for  permitting  the  rage  of  those 
agents  of  the  apostate  Jafnes  Sharp 
and  compeers,  whom   a  jnaU-sworn 


156 


rjNGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


king  had  so  cruelly  dressed  with  hia 
authority. 

But  even  in  the  midst  of  tUeso  re- 
pinings  and  bit*:er  breathings,  it  was 
whispered  into  the  cars  of  my  under- 
standing, as  with  the  voice  of  a  sera[)h, 
that  the  Lord  in  all  things  movetli 
according  to  His  established  laws ; 
and  I  was  comforted  to  think  that  in 
the  enormities  whereof  I  was  a  wit- 
ness and  partaker,  there  was  a 
tempering  of  the  hearts  of  the  people, 
that  they  might  become  as  swords  of 
steel,  to  work  out  the  deliverance  of 
the  land  from  the  bloody  methods  of 
prelatic  and  arbitrary  domination  ;  in 
80  much,  that  when  the  soldiers  pre- 
pared to  return  to  their  quarters  in 
Irvine,  1  walked  with  them — their 
captive,  it  is  true ;  but  my  steps  were 
firm,  and  they  marvelled  to  one 
another  at  the  proudness  of  my  tread. 

There  was  at  the  time  a  general 
sorrowing  throughout  the  country,  at 
the  avenging  visitations  wherewitli  all 
those  who  had  been  in  the  raid,  or 
■who  had  harboured  the  fugitives,  were 
visited.  Hundreds  that  sympathized 
■with  the  sufferings  of  their  friends, 
flocked  to  the  town  to  learn  who  had 
been  taken,  and  Avho  were  put  to 
death  or  reserved  for  punishment. 
The  crowd  camo  pressing  around  as  I 
■was  conducted  up  the  gait  to  the 
tolbooth  ;  the  women  wept,  but  the 
men  looked  doure,  and  tlie  children 
wondered  whatfor  an  honest  man 
should  be  brought  to  punishment. 
Some  who  knew  me,  cheered  me  by 
name  to  keep  a  stout  heart ;  and  the 
soldiers  grew  fear't  for  a  rescue,  and 
gnrled  at  the  crowd  for  closing  so 
closely  upon  us. 

As  I  was  ascending  the  tolbooth- 
stair,  I  heard  a  shriek  ;  and  I  looked 
around,  and  beheld  Michael,  my  first- 
born, a  stripling  then  only  twelve 
years  old,  amidst  the  crowd,  stretching 
out  his  hands  and  crying,  "O,  my 
father,  my  father !  " 


I  lialted  for  a  moment,  and  the 
sohliers  seemed  to  thawwitii  compas- 
sion ;  l)ut  my  haiiils  wore  tied, — I  was 
a  captive  on  the  tlireshold  of  the 
dungeon,  and  T  coidd  only  shut  my 
eyes  and  bid  the  stern  agents  of  tlio 
persecutors  go  on.  Still  the  cry  of  my 
distracted  child  knelled  in  my  ear, 
and  my  agony  grew  to  such  a  pitcli, 
that  1  Hew  forward  up  the  steps,  and, 
in  the  dismal  vaults  within,  souglit 
refuge  from  the  misery  of  my  child. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

I  WAS  conducted  into  a  straight  and 
dark  chamber,  and  the  cord  where- 
with my  hands  were  bound  was  un- 
tied, and  a  shackle  put  upon  my 
right  wrist ;  the  flesh  of  my  left  was 
so  galled  Avith  the  cord,  that  the 
jailor  was  softened  at  the  siglit,  and 
from  the  humanity  of  his  own  nature, 
refrained  from  placing  the  iron  on  it, 
lest  the  rust  should  fester  tlie  quick 
wound. 

Then  I  was  loft  alone  in  the 
gloomy  solitude  of  the  prison-room, 
and  the  ponderous  doors  wore  shut 
upon  me,  and  the  harsh  bolts  driven 
with  a  horrid  grating  noise,  that 
caused  my  very  boms  to  dinle.  Jjut 
even  in  that  dreadful  hour  an  un- 
speakable consolation  camo  with  tho 
freshness  of  a  breathing  of  the  airs  of 
paradise  to  my  soul.  Methought  a 
wonderful  liglit  slione  around  mc, 
that  I  heard  melodious  voices  bidding 
me  be  of  good  cheer,  and  tliat  a 
vision  of  my  saintly  grandfather,  in 
the  glorious  vestments  of  his  heavenly 
attiri!,  stood  before  me,  and  smiled 
upon  me  with  that  holy  comeliness  of 
countenance  which  has  made  his 
image  in  my  remembrance  ever  that 
of  the  most  venerable  of  men ;  so 
that,  in  the  very  depth  of  what  I 
thought  would  have  been  the  pit  of 
despair,  I  had  a  delightful  taste  of 


lUNflAN  GILHATZE. 


m 


those  blcssi'd  experiences  of  Divino 
aiil,  by  which  the  holy  iiuvrtyra  ucro 
sustained  in  tlio  liours  of  trial,  and 
cheered  amidst  the  torments  in  which 
tlicy  sealed  the  truth  of  their  testi- 
mony. 

After  the  favour  of  that  sweet  and 
celestial  encoura^'enient,  I  laid  my- 
self down  on  a  pallet  in  the  corner  of 
tlie  room,  and  a  gracious  sleep  des- 
cended upon  my  eyelids,  and  steeped 
tiie  sense  and  memory  of  my  griefs  in 
fnrgetfulness.  When  1  awoko  the 
day  Avas  far  spent,  and  tlie  light 
tiirongli  the  iron  staiuchers  of  the 
little  Avindow  showed  that  the  shadows 
of  the  twilight  were  darkening  over 
tlio  world.  I  raised  myself  on  my 
elbow,  and  listened  to  the  murmur  of 
the  multitude  that  I  heard  still  linger- 
ing around  the  prison  ;  and  sometimes 
1  thought  that  I  discovered  the  voice 
of  a  friend. 

In  that  situation,  and  thinking  of 
all  tiiose  dear  ones  which  tilled  my 
heart  with  tenderness  and  fear,  and 
of  the  agonizing  grief  of  my  little 
boy,  the  sound  of  whose  cries  still 
echoed  in  my  bosom,  I  rose  upon  my 
knees  and  connnitted  myself  entirely 
to  the  custody  of  llini  that  can  give 
the  light  of  liberty  to  the  captive  even 
in  the  gloom  of  the  dungeon.  And 
when  I  liad  done  so  I  again  ])repared 
to  lay  myself  on  the  ground ;  but  a 
rustle  in  the  darkness  of  the  room 
drew  my  attention,  and  in  the  same 
moment  a  kind  hand  was  laid  on 
mine. 

"Sarah  lioclirig,"  said  I,  for  I 
knew  my  wife's  gentle  pressure, — 
"  How  is  it  that  you  are  with  me  in 
this  doleful  place  ?  J  low  got  you  en- 
trance, and  I  not  hear  you  come  in  ?  " 

lUit  before  slie  had  time  to  make 
any  answer,  another's  fond  arms  were 
around  my  neck,  and  my  affectionate 
young  Michael  wept  upon  my 
shoulder. 

Bear  with  me,  courteous  reader, 


when  I  think  of  those  things,— that 
wife  and  that  child,  and  all  that  I 
loved  so  fondly,  are  no  more !  JJut 
it  is  not  meet  that  I  should  yet  tell 
how  my  spirit  was  turned  into  iron 
and  my  heart  into  stone.  Therefore 
will  1  still  endeavour  to  relate,  as 
with  the  equanimity  of  one  that  writes 
but  of  indifferent  things,  what  further 
ensued  during  the  thirteen  daj-s  of  my 
captivity. 

Sarah  Lochrig,  with  the  mildness 
of  her  benign  voice,  when  we  had 
mingled  a  few  tears,  told  me  that, 
after  1  went  to  (ialloway  with  Martha 
Swinton,  she  had  been  moved  by  our 
neighbours  to  come  with  our  children 
into  the  town,  as  being  safer  for  a 
lanerly  woman  .and  a  family  left  with- 
out its  head,  and  a  providential  thing 
it  was  that  she  had  done  so ;  for  on 
the  very  night  that  my  brother  came 
off  with  the  men  of  tlie  parish  to  join 
\i^,  aa  1  have  noted  down  in  its  proper 
place,  a  gang  of  dragoons  plundered 
both  his  house  and  mine,  and  but 
that  our  treasures  had  been  timeously 
removed,  his  family  having  also  gone 
that  day  into  Kilmarnock,  the  out- 
rages might  have  been  unspeakable. 

We  then  had  some  household  dis- 
course, anent  what  was  to  be  done  in 
the  event  of  things  coming  to  the 
worst  with  me  ;  and  it  was  an  admira- 
tion to  hear  with  what  constancy  of 
reason,  and  the  gifts  of  a  supported 
judgment,  that  gospeldiearted  woman 
spoke  of  what  she  would  do  with  her 
cliildren,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  pleasilre 
to  honour  me  with  the  crown  of  mar- 
tyrdom. 

"  But,"  sai>'  she,  "  I  hae  an  assur- 
ance within  *:i-»t  some  great  thing  is 
j'et  in  store  for  you,  thougli  the  hope 
be  clouded  with  a  doubt  that  I'll  no 
be  spar't  to  see  it,  and  therefore  let 
us  not  despond  at  this  time,  but  use 
the  means  that  Providence  may  atlord 
to  effect  your  deliver.ance." 

While  we  were  thus  conversing  to- 


15S 


HINOAN  GILIIATZK. 


gcthcrtbo  doors  of  the  prison-room 
Wore  oponcd,  and  a  man  was  let  in 
who  liad  a  cruiciic'  iu  tlio  one  iwiud  and 
a  basket  in  tlio  otiicr.  lie  waa  loan 
and  pale-faced,  bordering  on  forty 
years,  andof  amelaneliolyconiplexion; 
liis  eyu  wa.s  quick,  deep  set,  and  a 
tliouj.(iit  wild  ;  his  longhair  was  care- 
fully combed  smoot'  ,  and  his  apparel 
was  sini,'i\larly  well  composed  for  a 
person  of  his  desreo. 

Having  set  down  the  himp  on  the 
floor,  he  came  in  a  very  reverential 
manner  towards  whore  1  was  sitting, 
with  my  right  hand  fettered  to  the 
ground,  between  Sarah  liOelirig  and 
Michael  our  son,  and  ho  said,  with  a 
remarkable  and  gentle  simplicity  of 
voice,  in  the  Iligldand  accent,  tiiat  he 
had  been  requested  by  a  righteous 
woman,  I'rovost  llcid's  wife,  to  bring 
me  a  bottle  of  cordial  wine  and  some 
little  matters  that  I  might  require  for 
bodily  consolation. 

"  It's  that  godly  creature,  Willie 
Sutherland,  the  hangman,"  said  my 
wife.  "Though  rrovidcnco  has 
dealt  hardly  with  him,  poor  man,  in 
this  life,  everybody  says  he  has  gotten 
arles  of  a  servitude  in  glory  hereafter." 

When  he  had  placed  the  basket  at 
the  knees  of  Michael,  he  retired  to  a 
corner  of  the  room,  and  stood  in  the 
shadow,  with  his  face  turned  towards 
the  wall,  saying,  "  I'm  concern't  that 
it's  no  in  my  power  to  leave  you  to 
yoursels  till  Mungo  Robeson  come 
back,  for  he  has  lockit  me  in,  but  I'll 
no  hearken  to  what  you  may  say ;  " 
and  there  was  a  modesty  of  manner  in 
the  way  that  he  said  this,  which  made 
me  think  it  not  possible  he  could  be 
of  so  base  a  vocation  as  the  public 
executioner,  and  I  whispered  my  opin- 
ion of  him  to  Sarah  Lochrig.  It  w;is 
however  the  case  ;  and  verily  iu  the 
life  and  conduct  of  that  simple  and 
pious  man  there  was  a  manifesta- 
tion of  the  trutii,  that  to  him  whom 
the   Lord   favours  it  significth  not 


whatsoever  his  earthly  condition  may 
be. 

After  1  had  partaken  with  my  wife 
and  son  of  some  refreshment  whieli 
they  had  brought  with  them,  and 
tasted  of  the  wine  that  I'rovost  Ucid's 
lady  had  sent,  we  lieant  tlie  bolts  nf 
the  door  drawn,  and  liie  clanking  of 
keys,  at  which  Willie  Sutheilan<l  came 
forward  from  the  corner  where  ho 
had  stood  daring  the  whole  time,  and 
lifting  the  lamp  from  the  floor,  jind 
wetting  his  fore-finger  with  spittle  as 
he  did  so,  ho  trinuued  the  wick,  and 
said,  "  The  time's  come  when  a'  iier- 
sons  not  prisoners  must  dejiart  forth 
the  tolbooth  for  the  night ;  but, 
JNIaster  Gilhaize,  bo  none  discom- 
forted thereat,  your  wife  and  your 
little  one  will  come  back  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  your  lot  is  a  lot  of  pleasure  ; 
for  is  it  not  written  in  the  book  of 
Ecelesiastcs,  fourth  and  eighth, '  Tiiero 
is  one  alone,  and  there  is  not  a  second  ; 
yea,  he  hath  neither  child  nor  brother?' 
and  such  an  one  am  I." 

The  inner  door  was  thrown  open, 
and  INIungo  Robeson,  looking  in.  said, 
"  I'm  wae  to  molest  you,  but  ye'll  hao 
to  come  out,  Mrs  (iilhai?*."  So  that 
night  Avo  were  separ/ited  ;  and  when 
Sarah  Lochrig  was  gone.  I  could  not 
but  ofYer  thanksgiving  that  my  lines 
had  fallen  in  so  pleasant  a  place, 
compared  with  the  fate  of  my  jioor 
brotlier,  suffering  among  strangers  in 
the  doleful  prison  of  (Jlnsgow,  undiT 
the  ravenous  eyes  of  the  prelate  of 
that  city,  then  scarcely  less  hungry  for 
the  bodies  of  the  faithful  and  the  true, 
than  even  the  apostate  James'  Sliarp 
himself. 

The  deep  sleep  into  which  I  had 
fallen  when  Sarah  Lochrig  and  my  son 
were  admitted  to  see  mo,  and  during 
the  season  of  Avliich  Ihey  had  sat  in 
silence  beside  mo  till  revived  nature 
again  unsealed  my  eyes,  was  so  re- 
freshing, that  after  they  were  gono 
away  I  was  enabled  to  consider  my 


EINOAN  nilJIAIZE. 


159 


cojidition  Avitli  a  cnnipoaod  mind,  nnd 
frcM!  from  the  lii'iits  of  nnRsion  and 
mixicty  Avlici(;\villi  J  IkuI  pruvioiialy 
l)t'eii  Ko  p-oatly  tossed.  And  oiiUin.!,' 
to  mind  all  tluit  liad  taken  ])laco,  and 
tlio  iiitldt'ss  rt'VC'nf(o  witli  wliicli  tlio 
cruel  i)relatc3  wore  actuated,  I  saw, 
iiH  it  were  written  in  a  book,  that  for 
my  part  and  conduct  I  was  (loomed  to 
die.  I  felt  not,  however,  the  sense  of 
fjuilt  in  my  conscience  ;  nnd  I  said  to 
myself  that  this  sore  thinjj  ought  not 
to  be,  and  that,  aa  .in  innocent  man 
and  tlie  head  of  a  family,  I  was  obli- 
pited  by  all  expedient  ways  to  escape, 
if  it  were  possible,  from  the  grasps  of 
the  tyranny. 

It  seemed  to  mc,  lliat  in  the  piety 
and  simplicity  of  Willie  Sutherland, 
instruments  were  given  by  which  I 
mi;,'ht  break  througli  the  walls  of  my 
j)ri3on  ;  and  accordingly,  when  he  next 
morning  came  in  to  see  me,  I  failed 
not  to  try  thtir  edge.  I  entered  into  dis- 
course with  him,  and  told  him  of  many 
tilings  wiiich  1  have  recorded  in  this 
book,  and  so  won  upon  his  confidence 
and  the  singleness  of  his  heart,  tiiat 
he  shed  t<.'ars  of  grief  at  the  tiiouglit 
of  so  many  blameless  men  being  or- 
dained to  an  untimely  end.    . 

"It  has  pleased  God,"  said  he, 
"  to  make  me  as  it  Avere  a  leper  and  an 
exconnnnnicant  in  this  wnrlJ,  by  the 
constraints  of  a  low  estate,  and  with- 
out any  fault  of  mine.  Ikii  for  this 
temporal  ignominy,  lie  will,  in  His 
own  good  time,  bestow  an  exceeding 
great  reward ; — and  though  I  may  be 
called  on  to  fulfil  tlie  work  of  the  per- 
secutors, it  shall  yet  be  seen  in  me, 
that  J  will  abide  by  the  integrity  of 
my  faith,  and  that,  poor  desjnsed 
hangman  as  I  am,  I  have  a  conscience 
that  will  not  brook  a  task  of  inicpiity, 
whatsoever  the  laws  of  man  may  de- 
termine, or  the  King's  judges  decree," 

J  was,  as  it  were,  rebuked  by  this 
proud  religious  declaration,  and  I 
gently  inquired  how  it  was  that  he 


came  to  fall  into  n  condition  so  rejec- 
ted of  the  world. 

"  Deed,  sir,"  said  lie,  "  my  talc  ia 
easy  told.  ]\ly  parents  were  very  poor 
needful  people  in  Stratlinavar,  and  no 
able  to  keep  me ;  and  it  happened 
that,  being  cast  on  the  world,  I  be- 
came a  herd,  and  year  by  year,  having 
a  desire  to  learn  the  Lowland  tongue, 
1  got  in  that  way  as  far  as  Taisley, 
where  I  fell  into  extreme  want  and 
was  almost  famished  ;  for  the  ma.stcr 
that  I  served  there  being  in  debt,  ran 
away,  by  which  cause  I  lost  my  penny- 
fee,  and  was  obligated  to  beg  my 
bread.  At  that  time  many  worthy 
folk  in  the  shire  of  Renfrew  having 
suffered  great  molestation  from  witch- 
craft, divers  malignant  women,  sus- 
pected of  that  black  art,  were  brought 
to  judgment,  and  one  of  them  being 
found  guilty,  was  condemned  to  die. 
But  no  executioner  being  in  the  town, 
I  was  engaged,  by  the  scriptural  coun- 
sel of  some  honest  men,  Avho  quoted 
to  me  the  text,  '  Suffer  not  a  witch  to 
live,'  to  fultil  the  sentence  of  the  law. 
After  that  I  bought  a  Question-book, 
having  a  mind  to  learn  to  read,  that  I 
might  gain  some  knowledge  of  tiik 
AVoim.  Finding,  however,  the  people 
of  I'aisley  scorn  at  my  company,  so 
that  none  would  give  me  a  lesson,  I 
came  about  live  years  8ince  to  Jrviue, 
where  the  folk  are  more  charitable ; 
and  here  I  act  the  part  of  an  execu- 
tioner when  there  is  any  malefactor  to 
put  to  death.  Hut  my  Bible  has 
instructed  m.e,  that  I  ought  not  to 
execute  any  save  such  as  deserve  to 
die." 

I  was  moved  with  a  tender  pity  by 
the  tale  of  the  simple  creature ;  but  a 
strong  necessity  was  upon  i;ie,  nnd  it 
was  needful  that  I  should  make  use  of 
his  honesty  to  help  me  <'Ut  of  prison. 
8o  I  spoke  still  more  kindly  to  him, 
lamenting  my  sad  estate,  and  that  in  the 
little  time  1  had  in  all  likelihood  to  live, 
the  rigour  of  the  jailor  would  allow 


IGO 


^JNGA^^  GILTTATZE. 


but  little  intercourse  with  my  family, 
wishing  some  compassionate  Cliristiau 
friend  would  intercede  with  him  in 
order  that  my  wife  and  children,  if 
not  permitted  to  bide  all  night,  might 
be  allowed  to  remain  with  me  as  long 
and  as  late  as  possible. 

Tlic  pious  creature  said  that  lie 
would  do  for  me  in  that  respect  all  in 
liis  power,  and  that,  as  Muugo  Ilcbe- 
son  was  a  sober  man,  and  aye  wanted 
to  go  home  early  to  his  family,  he 
would  bide  in  the  tolbooth  to  let  out 
my  wife,  though  it  should  be  till  ten 
o'clock  at  night — "for,"  said  he  pit- 
eously,  "I  hae  nae  family  to  care 
about." 

Accordingly,  he  so  set  himself,  that 
Mungo  Kobeson  consented  to  leave 
the  keys  of  tlie  tolbooth  with  him  ; 
and  for  several  nigiits  evorytliing  was 
so  managed  that  ho  liad  no  reason  to 
suspect  what  my  wife  and  I  were 
plotting ;  for  lie  being  of  a  modest 
and  I'ctiring  nature,  never  spoke  to 
iier  when  she  parted  from  me,  save 
when  she  tlianked  liim  <as  lie  let  her 
out ;  and  that  she  did  not  do  every 
night,  lest  it  slionld  grow  into  a  habit 
of  expectation  with  him,  and  cause 
him  to  remark  when  the  civility  was 
omitted. 

In  the  meantime  all  things  being 
concerted  between  us,  through  the 
mean  of  a  friend  a  cart  was  got  in 
readiness,  loaded  Avitii  seemingly  a 
liogget  of  tobacco  and  grocery  wares, 
but  the  hogget  was  empty  and  loose 
in  the  head. 

This  was  all  settled  by  the  nine- 
teenth of  D'jcember ;  on  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  the  month  the  Commission- 
ers a[)poii'.ted  to  try  the  Covenanters 
in  the  prisons  tliroughout  the  shire  of 
Ayr  were  to  open  their  court  at  Ayr, 
and  I  was,  by  all  who  knew  of  me, 
regarded  in  a  manner  as  a  dead  man. 
On  the  night  of  the  twentieth,  how- 
ever, shortly  before  ten  o'clock,  James 
Gottera,   our  friend,  camo  with  the 


cart  in  at  the  town-head  port,  and  in 
going  down  the  gait  stopped,  as  had 
been  agreed,  to  give  iiis  beast  a  drink 
at  the  trough  of  the  cross-well,  oppo- 
site the  tolbooth-stair  foot. 

When  the  clock  struck  ten,  tho 
time  appointed,  I  was  ready  di'essed 
in  my  wife's  apparel,  having,  in  tho 
course  of  the  day,  broken  the  chain  of 
the  shackle  on  my  arm  ;  and  the  door 
being  opened  by  Willie  Sutherland  in 
the  usual  manner,  I  came  out,  holding 
a  napkin  to  my  face  and  weeping 
in  sincerity  very  bitterly,  with  tho 
thought  of  what  might  ensue  to  Sarah 
Lochrig,  whom  I  left  behind  in  my 
place. 

In  reverence  to  my  grief  the  honest 
man  .said  nothing,  but  walked  by  my 
side  till  he  had  let  me  out  at  the  outer 
stairhead  door,  where  he  parted  from 
me,  carrying  the  keys  to  Mungo 
Robeson's  house,  aneatli  the  tolbooth, 
while  I  walked  towards  James  Cot. 
tera's  cart,  and  Avas  presently  in  tho 
inside  of  the  hogget. 

With  great  presence  of  mind  and  a 
soldierly  self-possession,  tliat  ventu- 
rous friend  then  drew  the  horse's  head 
from  the  trough,  and  began  to  drivo 
it  down  the  street  to  the  town-end 
port,  striving  as  he  did  so  to  whistle, 
till  he  was  rebuked  for  so  doing,  as  I 
heard,  by  an  old  womnn  then  going 
home,  who  said  to  him  that  it  was  a 
shame  to  hear  such  profanity  in  Irvine 
wiien  a  martyr  doomed  to  die  was 
lying  in  the  tolbootii.  To  the  whieli 
he  replied  .scoliingly,  "  that  martyr 
was  a  new  name  for  a  sworn  rebil  to 
king  and  country," — wonls  wliieii  so 
kindled  the  worthy  wom;iii's  ire,  that 
she  began  to  ban  his  prelatic  ungodji- 
ness  to  such  a  degree  that  a  crowd 
collected,  which  made  nic  tremble. 
For  the  people  sided  with  the  /falous 
carlin,  and  spoke  fiercely,  threatening 
to  gar  tfames  (Jotteia  riilo  the  stang 
for  his  sinfulness  in  so  traducing  per- 
secuted Christiana.    ^Vhat  might  havo 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


161 


come  to  pass  is  hard  to  say,  had  not 
Providence  been  pleased,  in  that  most 
critical  and  perilous  time,  to  cause  a 
foul  luin  in  a  tliackct  house  in  the 
Seagate  to  take  fire,  by  which  an  alarm 
was  spread  that  drew  off  the  mob.  and 
allowed  James  G  ottera  to  pass  without 
farther  molestation  out  at  the  town- 
end  port. 

From  the  time  of  my  eva&ion  from 
the  tolbooth,  and  during  the  contro- 
versy between  James  Gottera  and  the 
mob  in  the  street,  there  was  a  whirl- 
wind in  my  mind  that  made  rae  in- 
capable of  reason.  But  when  we  had 
passed  through  the  town-end  port, 
and  the  cart  had  stopped  at  the  minis- 
ter's carse  till  I  could  throw  off  my 
female  weed.s  and  put  on  a  sailor's 
garb,  provided  for  the  occasion,  tongue 
nor  pen  cannot  express  the  passion 
wherewith  my  yearning  soul  was  then 
affected. 

Tlic  thought  of  having  left  Sarah 
Lochrig  within  bolts  and  bars,  a  reaoy 
victim  to  the  tjTanny  which  so  thirsted 
for  blood,  lightened  within  me  as  the 
lightnings  of  heaven  in  a  storm.  I 
threw  myself  on  the  ground, — I 
grasped  the  earth, — I  gatlicred  myself 
as  it  were  into  a  knot,  and  howled 
with  horror  at  my  own  selfish  baseness. 
I  sprung  up  and  cried,  "  I  will  save 
her  yet!  "  and  I  would  liave  run  in- 
stanter  to  the  town  ;  but  the  honest 
man  who  was  with  mi  laid  his  grip 
firmly  upon  my  arm,  au^  aaid  in  a 
solenni  manner — 

"Tl.'s  is  no  Christian  conduct, 
Eingan  Gilhaize  ;  the  Lord  has  not 
forgotten  to  be  graciou.s." 

I  glowered  upon  hiin,  as  he  has 
often  since  told  me,  with  a  shudder, 
and  cried,  "  lUit  I  hao  left  Sarah 
Lochrig  in  their  hands,  and,  like  a 
coward,  run  away  to  save  myself." 

"  Compose  yoursel',  Kingan,  and 
let  us  reason  together,"  Avas  his  dis- 
creet reply.  "  It's  vera  true  ye  hae 
come  away  and  left  your  wifo  aa  it 


were  an  hostage  in  the  prison,  but  the 
persecutors  and  oppressors  Avill  respek 
the  courageous  affection  of  a  loving 
wife,  and  Providence  will  put  it  in 
their  hearts  to  spare  her." 

"And  if  they  do  not,  what  shall  I 
then  be?  and  what's  to  become  of 
my  babies? — Lord,  Lord,  thou  hast 
tried  me  beyond  my  strength  ! " 

And  I  again  threw  my'^lf  on  the 
earth,  and  cried  that  it  mij,ht  open 
and  swallow  me  ;  for  thinking  but  of 
myself,  I  was  become  unwortliy  to  live. 

The  considerate  man  stood  over  mo 
in  compassionate  silence  for  a  season, 
and  allowed  m.,  to  rave  in  a  frenzy  till 
I  had  oxhans'ied  myself. 

"  JRingan, '  said  he  at  last,  "  yo 
were  aye  respekit  as  a  thoughtful  and 
discreet  character,  and  I'll  no  blame 
you  for  this  sorrow ;  but  I  entreat 
you  to  collek  yoursel,  and  think  Avhat'a 
best  to  be  done,  for  what  avails  in 
trouble  the  cry  of  alas,  alas !  or  the 
hhcdding  of  many  tears?  Your  wife 
is  in  prison,  but  for  a  fault  that  will 
wring  compassion  even  frae  the  brazen 
heart  of  the  remorseless  James  Sharp, 
and  bring  back  the  blood  of  humanity 
to  the  mansworn  breast  of  Charles 
Stuart.  But  tiiough  it  were  not  so, 
they  daurna  harm  a  hair  of  her  head  ; 
for  there  are  things,  man,  that  the 
cruellest  dread  to  do  for  fear  o'  the 
world,  even  when  they  hae  lost  the 
fear  o'  God.  I  count  her  far  safer, 
Ilingan,  frae  the  rage  of  the  perse- 
cutors, where  she  lies  in  prison  a- 
ueath  their  bolts  and  bars,  than  were 
she  free  in  her  own  house ;  for  it 
obligates  them  to  deal  wi'  her  openly 
and  afore  mankind,  whose  good-will 
the  worst  of  princes  and  prelates  are 
from  an  inward  power  forced  to 
respek :  whereas,  were  she  sitting 
lanerly  and  defenceless,  wi'  naebody 
near  but  only  your  four  helpless 
wee  birds,  there's  no  saying  what 
tie  gleds  might  do.  Theiefore  bo 
counselled,  my  frien',  and  dinna  gi'e 


162 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


yourscl  up  utterly  to  despair ;  but,  liko 
a  man,  for  whom  the  Lord  has  already 
done  great  thinofs,  mak  use  of  tlie 
moans  which,  in  this  jeopiinly  of  a' 
tiiat's  sae  dear  to  you,  ho  lias  so  gra- 
ciously put  in  your  power." 

I  felt  niytself  in  a  measure  heartened 
by  this  exhortation,  and  rising  from 
the  {.'round  completed  the  cliango  I 
Jiad  begun  in  my  apparel ;  but  I  was 
still  unable  to  speak, — which  he  ob- 
Berving,  said — 

♦'  Hae  yo  considered  the  airt  ye 
aught  now  to  take,  for  it  canua  be 
that  ye'Il  think  of  biding  in  this 
neighbourhood  ?  " 

"No;  not  in  this  land,"  I  ex- 
claimed ;  "  would  that  I  might  not 
even  in  this  life  !  " 

"Whisht!  Ringan  Gilhaize,  that's 
a  sinful  wish  for  a  Christian,"  said  a 
compassionate  voice  at  my  side,  which 
made  us  both  start ;  and  on  looking 
round  we  saw  a  man  who,  during  the 
earnestest  of  our  controversy,  had  ap- 
proached close  to  us  unobserved. 

It  was  that  gospel -teacher,  my 
fellow-sufferer,  Mr  Witherspoon  ;  and 
his  sudden  apparition  at  that  time 
was  a  blessed  taccident,  whicii  did 
more  to  draw  my  thoughts  from  the 
anguish  of  my  affections  than  any 
tiling  that  it  was  possible  for  James 
Gottera  to  have  said. 

lie  wastlien  travelling  in  the  cloud 
of  night  to  the  town,  having,  after  I 
parted  from  him  in  Lanarksliire,  en- 
dured many  hardships  and  perils,  and 
his  intent  was  to  pass  to  his  friends, 
in  order  to  raise  a  trille  of  money,  to 
transport  himself  for  a  season  into 
Ireland. 

Hut  James  Gottera,  on  hearing 
this,  interposed  his  ouiiiion.  aiidsaiil, 
a  rumour  was  abroad  that  in  all  ports 
and  towns  of  embarkation  ordiTH  were 
given  to  stay  the  departure  of  passen- 
gers, so  tliat  to  a  surety  he  would  be 
taki'n  if  ho  attempted  to  quit  the 
kingdom. 


By  this  time  my  mind  had  returned 
into  sometliing  like  a  state  of  sobriety; 
so  I  told  him  how  it  had  been  con- 
oei'ted  between  me  and  Sarah  Lochrig 
tiiat  I  should  pass  over  to  the  wee 
Cumbrae,  there  to  wait  till  the  de- 
stroyers had  passed  by ;  for  it  was 
tliought  not  possible  that  such  an 
inordinate  thirst  for  blood,  as  had 
followed  upon  our  discomfiture  at 
KuUion-green,  could  bo  of  a  long 
continuance  ;  and  I  bcseeched  him  to 
come  with  me,  telling  him  that  I  was 
provided  with  a  small  purse  of  money 
in  case  need  should  require  it,  but  in 
the  charitable  hearts  of  the  pious  wo 
might  count  on  a  richer  store. 

Accordingly,  wo  agreed  to  join  our 
fortunes  again,  and,  having  parted 
from  James  Gottera  at  Kilwinning, 
wo  went  on  our  way  together,  and 
my  heart  was  refreshed  by  the  kind 
admonitions  and  sweet  converse  of  my 
companion,  tliough  ever  and  anon  the 
thought  of  my  wife  in  prison,  and  our 
defenceless  lambs,  shot  liko  a  fiery 
arrow  through  my  bosom.  But  man 
is  by  nature  a  sordid  creature,  and 
the  piercing  December  blast,  the 
threatening  sky,  and  the  frequent 
shower,  soon  knit  up  my  thoughts 
with  tlio  care  of  my  worthless  self: 
maybe  tiiere  was  in  that  tlie  temper- 
ing hand  of  a  beneficent  Providence  ; 
for  when  I  have  at  divers  times  since 
considered  how  much  the  anguish  of 
my  inner  sufferings  exceeded  the 
bodily  molestation,  I  could  not  but 
confess,  though  it  was  with  a  humbled 
sense  of  my  own  selfishness,  that  it 
was  well  for  me,  in  such  a  time,  to  bo 
so  respited  from  the  upbraiilings  of 
my  tortured  affections. 

Hut,  not  to  dwell  on  tiicspeciaUies 
of  my  own  ferliiigs  on  lliat  iiU'iii()ral)lo 
night,  let  it  siiHici!,  that  after  walking 
some  four  or  five  miles  towards  l\'n- 
corse  ferry,  where  we  meant  to  jiass 
to  the  island,  I  became  less  and  less 
attuutiyg  to  tUo  edifying  discourse  u{ 


"  we 
it's  n 
he 

hol( 

tlic 
him 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


163 


^Ir  Witlicrspoon,  and  his  nature  aJso 
yielding  to  the  influence  of  the  time, 
wc  travelled  along  the  bleak  and  sandy 
shore  between  Ardrossan  and  Kilbride 
hill  witliouttlio  interchange  of  eonver- 
Bation.  Tlie  wind  came  wild  and  gurly 
from  the  sea,  tlie  waves  broke  heavily 
on  tlie  shore,  Jind  the  moon,  swiftly 
wading  the  cloud,  threw  over  tlie 
dreary  scone  a  wandering  and  ghastly 
light.  Often  to  the  blast  we  were 
obligated  to  turn  our  backs,  and,  the 
rain  being  in  our  faces,  wo  little 
heeded  each  other. 

In  that  state,  so  like  sullenness,  we 
had  journeyed  onward,  it  might  be 
better  thau  a  mile,  when,  happening 
to  observe  something  lying  on  the 
shore,  as  if  it  l)ad  been  cast  out  by  the 
sea,  I  cried,  under  a  sense  of  fear, 

"  Stop,  Mr  Witherspoon  ;  what's 
that?" 

In  the  same  moment  he  uttered  a 
dreadful  sound  of  horror,  and,  on 
looking  round,  I  saw  we  were  three 
in  company. 

"  In  the  name  of  Heaven,"  ex- 
claimed Mr  Witiierspoon,  "  who  and 
what  are  you  that  walk  with  us'?  " 

But  in.stanter  our  fears  and  the 
mystery  of  the  appearance  were  dis- 
pelled, for  it  Avus  my  brother. 


CIIAPTEil     XXTI. 

"Wkel,  Hingan,"  said  my  brother, 
"  we  have  met  again  in  this  world  ; 
it's  a  blessing  I  never  lookeil  for,"  and 
he  held  out  ids  two  hands  to  take 
hold  of  mine,  but  the  broken  links  of 
the  shackle  still  round  ray  wrist  made 
him  cry  out : 

"  \V hat's  this?  Wharn  liao  ye 
come  frae  ?     I'ut  I  noc'diia  inquire." 

'•  I  have  broken  out  of  the  tolliooth 
o'  Irvine,"  said  I,  "and  I  am  lieeing 
here  with  Mr  Witherspoon." 

"  I,  too,''roplicd  my  brother  mouru- 


fully,  "  hae  escaped  from  the  hands  of 
the  persecutors." 

We  then  entered  into  some  con- 
vci'sation  concerning  what  had  hap- 
pened to  us  respectively,  from  the 
fatal  twenty-eighth  of  November, 
when  our  power  and  host  were  scat- 
tered on  Jiullion-green,  wherein  Mr 
NN'itherspoon,  with  me,  rehearsed  to 
him  the  accidents  herein  set  forth, 
with  the  circumstantials  of  somethings 
that  befel  the  godly  man  after  I  left 
him  with  the  corpse  of  the  baby  in  his 
arms  ;  but  which  being  in  some  points 
less  of  an  adventurous  nature  than  had 
happened  to  myself,  I  shall  be  par- 
doned by  the  courteous  reader  for  not 
enlarging  upon  it  at  greater  length. 
I  should  however  here  note,  that  iMr 
Witherspoon  was  not  so  severely 
dealt  Avith  as  I  was  ;  for  though  an 
outcast  and  a  fugitive,  yet  he  was  not 
a  prisoner ;  on  the  contrary,  under 
the  kindly  cover  of  the  Ijady  Aiich- 
terfardel,  whose  excellent  and  truly 
covenanted  husband  was  a  sore  suf- 
ferer by  the  fines  of  the  year  WCd,  ho 
received  great  hospitality  for  tlie  space 
of  sixteen  days,  and  was  saved  between 
two  feather  beils,  on  the  top  of  which 
tlie  laird's  aged  mother,  a  bedrid  wo- 
man, was  laid,  when  some  of  Drum- 
niond's  men  searched  the  house  on  an 
information  against  him. 

But  disconsolatory  as  it  was  to 
hear  of  such  treatment  of  a  gospel- 
minister,  though  lightened  by  the  re- 
ilection  of  the  S'.iintly  constancy  that 
was  yet  to  be  found  in  the  land,  and 
among  jiersons  too  of  the  Lady  of 
Audi ter fardel's  degree,  and  severe  as 
the  trials  were,  both  of  body  and  mind, 
which  I  had  my.self  undergone,  yet 
were  they  all  as  nothing  conipareil  to 
the  hardships  of  my  brother,  a  man  of 
a  temperate  sobriety  of  yianner,  bear- 
ing all  changes  with  a  perene  coun- 
tenance and  a  placable  mind,  Avhile 
feeling  them  in  the  uttermost  depths 
of  Ilia  capacious  affectious. 


IGi 


PJNGAN  GILHATZE, 


"  On  the  night  of  the  battle,"  said 
he,  "  it  would  not  be  easy  of  me  to 
tell  which  way  1  went,  or  what  en- 
sued, till  I  found  myself  Avith  three 
destitute  companions  on  the  skirts  of 
the  town  of  Falkirk,  liy  that  time 
the  morning  was  beginning  to  dawn, 
and  we  perceived  not  that  we  had  ap- 
proached so  nigh  into  any  bigget  land ; 
as  the  day,  however,  broke,  the  steeple 
caught  our  eye,  and  we  halted  to  con- 
sider what  we  ought  to  do.  And  .as 
we  were  then  standing  in  a  field  diffi- 
dent to  enter  the  town,  a  young  wo- 
man came  from  a  house  that  stands 
a  little  way  off  the  road,  close  to 
Graham's  dyko.  driving  a  cow  to  grass 
with  a  long  staff,  which  I  the  more  re- 
marked as  such,  because  it  was  of  the 
Indian  cane,  and  virled  with  silver, 
and  headed  with  ivory. 

"  '  Sirs,'  said  7Ienio  Adams,  for 
that  was  the  damsel's  name,  '  I  see 
what  ye  are,  but  I'll  no  speir  ;  hows- 
ever,  be  ruled  by  me,  and  gang  na 
near  the  town  of  Falkirk  this  morning, 
for  atwecn  the  hours  of  dark  and  dawn 
there  has  been  a  congregationing  o' 
horses  and  men,  and  other  sediments 
o'  war,  that  I  hae  a  notion  there's 
owre  meiklo  o'  the  King's  power  in 
the  place  for  ony  Covenanter  to  enter 
in,  save  under  the  peril  o'  penalties. 
But  come  wi'  me,  and  Fll  go  back  wi' 
you,  and  in  our  hay-loft  you  may  scog 
yoursels  till  the  gloaming.' 

"  Who  could  have  thought,"  said 
my  brother,  "  that  in  such  discourse 
from  a  young  woman,  not  passing  four 
and  twenty  years  of  ago,  and  of  a 
pleasant  aspect,  any  guilty  stratagem 
of  blood  was  hidden  !  " 

He  and  iiis  friends  never  questioned 
her  trutii,  but  went  with  liei',  and  she 
con<l\icted  them  to  her  father's  house, 
and  lodged  tliera  iu  the  h<iy  loft. 

It  seems  that  Menie  Adams  was, 
however,  at  the  time  betrotlied  to  the 
prelatic  curate  tliat  had  been  laid  upon 
the  parish,  and  that,  in  conseriuei-CP, 


aneath  her  courtesy,  she  had  concealed 
a  very  treacherous  and  wicked  intent. 
For  no  sooner  had  she  got  my  bro- 
ther and  his  three  companions  into  tho 
hay-loft,  than  she  hies  herself  away  to 
the  town,  and,  in  the  hope  of  pleasing 
her  prelatic  lover,  informs  the  captain 
of  the  troop  there  of  the  birds  she  had 
ensnared. 

As  soon  as  the  false  woman  had 
thus  committed  the  sin  of  perfiily,  she 
went  to  the  curate  to  brag  how  she 
had  done  a  service  to  his  cause  ;  but 
he,  though  of  the  prelatic  germina- 
tion, being  yet  a  person  who  had  some 
reverence  for  truth  and  the  gentle 
mercies  of  humanity,  was  so  disturbed 
by  her  unwomanly  disposition,  that 
he  bade  her  depart  from  his  presence 
for  ever,  and  ran  with  all  possible 
speed  to  waken  the  poor  men  whom 
she  had  so  betrayed. 

On  his  way  to  the  house  he  saw  a 
party  of  the  soldiers,  whom  tlieir 
officer,  as  in  duty  bound,  was  sending 
to  seize  the  unsuspecting  sleepers,  and 
running  on  before  them,  he  just  got 
forward  in  time  to  give  the  alarm. 
My  brother  and  one  of  them,  Esau 
Wardrop,  the  wife's  brother  of  James 
Gottera,  who  had  been  so  instrumen- 
tal in  my  evasion,  were  providentially 
enabled  to  get  out  and  flee  ;  but  the 
other  two  were  taken  by  the  soldiers 
and  carried  to  prison. 

The  base  conduct  of  that  Menie 
Adams,  as  wc  some  years  after  heard, 
did  not  go  long  imvisited  by  the  dis- 
pleasure of  Heaven,  for,  some  scent 
of  her  guilt  taking  wind,  tiie  whole 
town,  in  a  sense,  grew  wud  against 
her,  and  she  was  mobbet,  and  tiio 
wells  pumped  upon  her  by  the  en- 
raged multitude ;  and  she  never  re- 
covered from  the  handling  that  she 
therein  suffered. 

My  brother  and  Esau  Wardrop,  on 
getting  into  the  open  fields,  made  all 
the  speed  they  could,  like  the  panting 
hart  when  pursued  by  the  hunter,  and 


KINGAN  GILHATZE. 


1G3 


distrustinor  the  people  of  tliat  part  of 
the  country,  they  travelled  all  day, 
not  venturinp  to  approach  any  reek- 
ing house.  Towards  gloaming,  how- 
ever, being  hungry  and  faint,  the 
craving  of  nature  overcame  their  fears, 
and  they  went  up  to  a  liouse  where 
they  saw  a  light  burning. 

As  tliey  approached  the  door  they 
faltered  a  little  in  their  resolution,  for 
they  heard  the  disonance  of  riot  and 
revelry  within.  Their  need,  however, 
was  great,  and  the  importunities  of 
hunger  would  not  be  pacified,  so  they 
knocked,  and  the  door  was  opened  by 
a  soldier,  the  party  within  being  a 
horde  of  Dalziel's  men,  living  at  free 
quarters  in  the  hoiLse  of  that  excel- 
lent Christian  and  much-persecuted 
man,  the  Laird  of  llinglewood. 

The  moment  that  the  man  who 
came  to  the  door  saw,  by  the  glimpse 
of  the  light,  that  both  my  brother  and 
Esau  Wardrop  had  sworda  at  their 
sides,  he  uttered  a  cry  of  alarm,  think- 
ing the  house  was  surrounded,  at 
which  all  the  riotous  soldiers  within 
flew  to  their  arms,  while  the  man  Avho 
opened  the  door  seized  my  brother 
by  Ihe  throat  and  harl't  him  in.  The 
panic,  however,  was  but  of  short 
duration,  for  my  brother  soon  ex- 
pounded that  they  were  two  perish- 
ing men  who  came  to  surrender  them- 
selves ;  so  the  door  was  again  opened, 
and  Esau  Wardrop  commanded  to 
come  in. 

"  It  8  but  a  justice  to  say  of  those 
rampageous  troopers,"'  said  my 
brother,  "  that,  considering  us  as 
prisoners  of  war,  they  were  free  and 
kind  enough,  though  they  mocked  at 
our  cause,  and  derided  the  equipage 
of  our  warfare.  But  it  was  a  hu- 
miliating siglit  to  see  in  what  manner 
they  deported  themselves  towards  the 
unfortunate  family." 

llinglewood  himself,  who  had  re- 
monstrated against  their  insolence  to 
bis  aged  leddy,  they  had  tied  in  his 


arm -chair  and  placed  at  the  head  of 
his  own  table,  round  which  they  sat 
carousing,  and  singing  the  roister 
ribaldry  of  camp  songs.  At  first, 
when  my  brotlier  was  taken  into  this 
scene  of  military  domination,  he  did 
not  observe  the  laird  ;  for  in  the  up- 
roar of  the  alarm  the  candles  had  been 
overset  and  broken,  but  new  ones 
being  asked  for  and  stuck  into  the 
necks  of  the  bottles  of  the  wine  they 
were  lavishly  drinking,  he  discovered 
him  lying  as  it  were  asleep  where  he 
sat,  with  his  head  averted,  and  his 
eyes  shut  on  the  iniquity  of  the  scene 
of  oppression  with  which  he  was 
opjiressed. 

Some  touch  of  contrition  had  led 
one  of  the  soldiers  to  take  the  aged 
matron  under  his  care  ;  an:'  on  his 
intercession  she  was  not  placed  at  tiie 
table,  but  allowed  to  sit  in  a  corner, 
where  she  mourned  in  silence,  with 
her  hands  clasped  tO(;ether,  and  her 
head  bent  down  over  them  upon  her 
breast.  The  laird's  grandson  and 
heir,  a  stripling  of  some  fifteen  years 
or  so,  was  obligated  to  bo  page  and 
butler,  for  all  the  rest  of  the  house 
had  taken  to  the  hills  at  the  a^iproach 
of  the  troopers. 

As  the  drinking  continued  the  riot 
increased,  and  the  rioters  growing 
heated  with  their  drink,  they  began 
to  quarrel  :  fierce  words  brought 
angry  answers,  and  threats  were  fol- 
lowed by  blows.  Then  there  was  an 
interposition,  and  a  shaking  of  hands, 
and  a  pledging  of  renewed  friend- 
ship. 

But  still  the  demon  of  the  drink 
continued  to  grow  stronger  and 
stronger  in  their  kindling  blood,  and 
the  tumult  was  made  perfect  by  one 
of  the  men,  in  the  capering  of  his 
inebriety,  rising  fro!u  his  seat,  and 
taking  the  old  leddy  by  the  toupie  to 
raise  her  head  as  he  rudely  placed  his 
foul  cup  to  her  lips.  'Ihis  called  up 
the  ire  of  the  fellow  who  had  sworn 


166 


HINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


to  protect  her,  and  he,  not  less  m- 
toxicated  than  the  insulter,  cunio, 
stiigijcring  to  defend  her;  a  sculHe 
ensued,  the  insulter  was  cast  with  a 
swing  away,  and  falling  against  the 
laird,  who  still  remained  as  it  were 
asleep,  with  his  head  on  his  shoulder, 
and  his  eyes  shut,  he  overthrew  the 
chair  in  whicli  the  old  gentleman  sat 
fastened,  and  they  both  fell  to  the 
ground. 

The  soldier,  frantic  with  wine  and 
rage,  was  soon,  like  a  tiger,  on  his 
adversary;  the  rest  rose  to  separate 
them.  Some  took  one  side,  some 
another  ;  bottles  were  seized  for 
Aveapons,  and  the  table  was  over- 
thrown iu  the  hurricane.  Tlieir  Ser- 
jeant, who  was  as  drunk  as  the  worst 
of  them,  tried  in  vain  to  call  them 
into  order,  but  they  heeded  not  his 
call,  which  so  enraged  liiin,  that  he 
swore  they  should  shift  tlu'ir  quarters, 
and  with  that  seizing  a  burning  brand 
from  the  chumla,  he  ran  into  a  bed- 
chamber that  opened  from  the  room 
wliore  the  riot  was  raging,  and  set  fire 
to  the  curtains. 

^ly  brother  seeing  the  flames 
rising,  and  that  the  infuriated  war- 
wolves  thought  only  of  themselves, 
ran  to  extricate  Ringlewood  from  the 
cords  wiiii  which  he  was  tied;  and 
calling  to  the  leddy  and  her  grandson 
to  quit  the  burning  house,  every  one 
was  soon  out  of  danger  from  the 
fire. 

The  sense  of  the  soldiers  was  not 
so  overborne  by  their  drink  as  to  pre- 
vent them  from  seeing  tiio  dreadful 
extent  of  their  outrage ;  but  instead 
of  trying  to  extinguish  the  flames, 
tliey  marched  away  to  seek  quarters  in 
some  other  jilace,  cursing  the  Serjeant 
for  having  so  unhoused  them  in  such 
a  niglit. 

At  first  they  thouglit  of  carrying 
my  brother  and  Esau  \Vardrop  with 
them  as  prisoners ;  but  one  of  them 
said  it  would  be  as  well  to  give  the 


wyte  of  tiie  burning,  at  head-quarters, 
to  the  rebels ;  so  they  left  them  be- 
hind. 

Esau  Wardrop,  witli  the  young 
laird  and  my  grandfather,  seeing  it  was 
in  vain  to  stop  the  progress  of  tlio  lire, 
did  all  in  them  lay  to  rescue  some  of 
the  furniture,  while  poor  old  Ringle- 
wood and  his  aged  and  gentle  lady, 
being  both  too  infirm  to  lend  any 
help,  stood  on  the  green,  and  saw  the 
devouring  element  pass  from  room  to 
room,  till  their  anci»nt  dwelling  was 
utterly  destroyed.  Fortunately,  how- 
ever, the  air  was  calm,  and  the  out- 
houses escaping  the  ruinous  conta- 
gion of  the  flames,  there  was  still  a 
beild  left  in  the  barn  to  which  they 
could  retire. 

In  the  meantime  the  light  of  the 
burning  spread  over  the  country ; 
but  the  people  knowing  tliat  soldiers 
were  quartered  in  Kinglewood,  stood 
aloof  on  the  dread  of  fire-arms, 
thinking  the  conlhigration  might  bo 
caused  by  some  contest  of  war  ;  so 
that  the  mansion  of  a  gentleman  much 
beloved  of  all  his  neighbours  was  al- 
lowed to  burn  to  the  ground  before 
their  eyes,  without  any  one  venturing 
to  come  to  help  him,  to  so  great  a 
degree  had  distrust  and  the  outrages 
of  military  riot  at  that  epoch  altered 
the  hearts  of  men, 

My  brother  and  Esau  Wardrop 
staid  with  Ringlewood  till  the  morn- 
ing, and  had,  for  the  space  of  three 
or  four  hours,  a  restoring  sleep.  Fain 
would  they  have  remained  longer 
there,  but  the  threat  of  the  soldiers  to 
accuse  tliem  as  the  incendiaries  made 
Kinglewood  urge  them  to  depart; 
saying,  tiiat  maybe  the  time  would 
come  when  it  would  bo  in  his  power 
to  thank  them  for  their  help  in  that 
dreadful  night.  J  Jut  he  was  not  long 
exposed  to  many  sufl'erings;  for  the 
leddy  on  the  day  following,  as  iu 
after-time  we  heard,  was  seized  with 
her  dead-ill,  and  departed  this  lifo  in 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


167 


tliuy 


the  course  of  threo  days;  and  tlic 
laird  also,  in  less  than  a  month,  was 
laid  in  tlie  kirk-yard,  with  his  an- 
cestors, by  her  side. 

After  leaving  liiiip;lewood,  the  two 
fugitives,  by  divers  journeyings  and 
fioro  pasnagos  through  moss  and  moor, 
crossed  the  Balloch  ferry,  and  coming 
down  the  north  side  of  the  Clyde 
iirtli  to  Ardniorc,  they  boated  across 
to  Greenock,  where,  in  little  more 
tlian  an  hour  after  their  arrival,  tlicy 
were  taken  in  Euphan  Blair's  public 
in  Cartsdyke,  and  the  same  night 
marched  off  to  Glasgow  ;  of  all  which 
1  have  already  given  intimation  in  re- 
cording my  own  trials  at  luverkip. 

lint  in  that  march,  as  my  brother 
and  Esau  Wardrop  were  passing  with 
tlieir  guard  at  the  Inchinnan  ferry, 
the  soldiers  heedlessly  laying  their 
firelocks  all  in  a  heaj)  in  the  boat,  the 
tiiought  came  into  my  brother's  head, 
that  maybe  it  might  be  turned  to  an 
advantage  if  he  was  to  spoil  the 
powder  in  the  firelocks ;  so,  as  they 
were  sitting  in  the  boat,  lie,  with 
seeming  innocence,  drew  his  hand 
several  times  through  the  water,  and 
in  lifting  it  in,  took  care  to  drop  and 
sprinkle  the  powder-pans  of  the  fire- 
locks, insomuch,  that  by  the  time  they 
ferried  to  the  Renfrew  pide,  they  were 
spoiled  for  innuediate  use. 

"  Do  as  I  do,"  said  ho  softly  to 
Esau  "Wardrop,  as  they  were  stepping 
out,  and  with  that  he  feigned  some 
small  expedient  for  tarrying  in  the 
boat,  while  the  soldiers,  taking  their 
arms,  leapt  on  shore.  'I'he  ferryman 
also  was  out  before  them ;  and  my 
brother  seeing  this,  took  up  an  oar, 
seemingly  to  help  him  to  step  out ; 
but  pretending  at  the  same  time  to 
stumble,  caught  hold  of  Esau's 
shoulder,  and  pushing  with  the  oar, 
shoved  off  the  boat  in  such  a  manner, 
that  the  ro))0  was  pulled  out  of  the 
ferryman's  hand,  who  was  in  a  great 
cousteruatiou.  The  soldiers,  Lowerer, 


laughed  at  seeing  how  the  river's 
current  Avas  carrying  away  their 
jjrisoners  ;  for  my  brother  was  in  no 
hurry  to  make  use  of  the  oar  to  pull 
tlie  boat  back ;  on  the  contrary,  ho 
pushed  her  farther  and  farther  into 
the  river,  until  one  of  the  guards, 
beginning  to  suspect  some  stratagem, 
levelled  his  firelock,  and  threatened 
to  shoot.  Whereupon  my  brother 
and  Esau  quickened  their  exertions, 
and  soon  reached  the  oppoiite  side  of 
the  river,  while  the  soldiers  were  ban- 
ning and  tearing  with  rage  to  be  so  out- 
witted, and  their  firelocks  rendered 
useless  for  the  time. 

As  soon  as  the  fugitives  were  with- 
in wadeal  le  reach  of  the  bank,  they 
jumpit  out  of  the  bont  and  ran,  and 
were  not  long  within  the  scope  of 
their  adversaries'  fire. 

By  this  time  the  sun  was  far  in  the 
west,  and  they  knew  little  of  tho 
country  about  where  they  were  ;  but, 
before  embarking,  the  ferryman  had 
pointed  out  to  them  the  abbey  towers 
of  i'aisley,  and  they  knew  that,  for 
a  long  period,  many  of  the  humane 
inhabitants  of  that  town  had  been 
among  the  faithfuUest  of  Scotchmen 
to  the  cause  of  the  Kirk  and  Cove- 
nant; and  therefore,  they  thought 
that,  under  the  distraction  of  their 
circumstances,  maybe  it  would  bo 
their  wisest  course  to  direct  their  steps 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  towards 
the  town,  and  they  threw  aside  their 
arms,  that  they  might  pass  as  simple 
wayfaring  men. 

Accordingly,  having  loitered  in 
the  way  thither,  they  reached  Paisley 
iibout  the  heel  of  the  twilight.,  and 
searching  their  way  into  the  heart  of 
the  town,  they  found  a  rcspectabhi 
public  near  tlie  Cross,  into  which 
they  entered,  and  ordered  some  con- 
sideration of  vivers  for  sujtper,  just 
as  if  they  had  been  on  marki-t  busi- 
ness. In  so  doing  nothing  particular 
was  remarked  of   them ;   and   my 


168 


RINGAN  QILHAIZE. 


brother,  by  way  of  an  entertainment 
before  bed-time,  told  his  companion 
of  my  grandfather's  adventure  in 
Paisley,  the  circumstantials  whereof 
are  already  written  in  this  book ; 
drawing  out  of  what  had  come  to 
pass  with  him,  cheering  aspirations  of 
happier  days  for  themselves. 

While  they  were  thus  speaking,  one 
of  the  town  council.  Deacon  Fulton, 
came  in  to  have  a  cup  and  a  crack 
with  any  stranger  that  might  be  in  tlie 
house. — This  deacon  was  a  man  who 
well  represented  and  was  a  good 
swatch  of  the  plain  honesty  and  strict 
principles  which  have  long  governed 
within  that  ancient  borough  of  re- 
gality. He  seeing  them,  and  being 
withal  a  man  of  shrewd  discernment, 
eyed  them  very  sharply,  and  maybe 
guessing  what  they  were  and  where 
they  had  come  from,  entered  into 
a  discreet  conversation  with  them 
auent  the  troubles  of  the  time.  In  this 
he  showed  the  pawkrie,  that  so  ^vell 
becomes  those  who  sit  in  council,  with 
a  spicerie  of  that  wholesome  virtue 
and  friendly  sympathy  of  which  all 
the  poor  fugitives  from  the  Pentland 
raid  stood  in  so  great  need.  For, 
without  pretending  to  joalouse  any 
thing  of  what  they  were,  he  spoke  of 
that  business  as  the  crack  of  the  day, 
and  told  them  of  many  of  the  afflict- 
ing things  which  had  been  perpetrated 
after  the  dispersion  of  the  Cove- 
nanters, saying 

"  It's  a  thing  to  be  deplored  in  all 
time  coming,  that  the  poor  misguided 
folk,  concern't  in  that  rash  wark,  did- 
na  rather  take  refuge  in  the  towns, 
and  amang  their  brethren  and  fellow- 
subjects,  than  flee  to  the  hills,  where 
they  are  hunted  down  wi'  dog  and 
gun,  as  beasts  o'  an  ill  kind.  Really 
every  body's  wao  for  their  folly ; 
though  to  be  sure,  in  a  Government 
sense,  their  fault's  past  pardon.  It's 
no  indeed  a  thing  o'  toleration,  that 
subjects  are  to  rise  against  rulers." 


"  True,"  said  my  brother,  "  unless 
rulers  fall  against  subjects." 

The  worthy  magistrate  looked  a 
thought  seriously  at  him ;  no  in  re- 
proof for  what  he  had  said,  or 
might  say,  but  in  an  admonitory 
manner,  saying — 

"  Ye're  owre  douce  a  like  man,  I 
think,  to  hae  been  either  airt  or  pairt 
in  this  headstrong  Reformation,  un- 
less ye  had  some  great  cause  to  pro- 
voke you;  and  I  doubt  ua  ye  hao 
discretion  enough  no  to  contest  with- 
out need  points  o'  doctrine ;  at  least 
for  me,  I'm  laith  to  cuter  on  ony  sort 
o'  polemtic,  for  it's  a  Gude's  truth, 
I'm  nae  deacon  at  it." 

My  brother  discerning  by  liis 
manner  that  he  saw  through  them, 
would  have  refrain't  at  the  time  from 
further  discourse;  but  Esau  Ward* 
rop  was,  though  a  man  of  few  words, 
yet  of  such  austerity  of  faith,  that  ho 
could  not  abide  to  have  it  thought  he 
was  in  any  time  or  place  afraid  for 
himself  to  bear  his  testimony,  even 
when  manifestly  uncalled  on  to  do; 
so  he  here  broke  in  upon  the  con- 
siderate and  worthy  counsellor,  and 
said — 

"That  a  covenanted  spir't  was 
bound,  at  a'  times,  and  in  a'  situa- 
tions, conditions,  and  circumstiinces, 
to  uphold  the  cause." 

"  True,  true,  we  are  a'  Covenan- 
ters," replied  the  deacon,  "and  Gude 
forbid  that  I  should  e'er  forget  the 
vows  I  took  Avhen  I  was  in  a  manner 
a  bairn ;  but  there's  an  unco  differ- 
ence between  the  auld  covenanting 
and  this  Lanark  New-light.  In  the 
auld  times,  our  forbears  and  our 
fathers  covenanted  to  show  their 
power,  that  the  King  and  Government 
might  consider  what  they  were  doing. 
And  they  betook  not  themselves  to 
the  sword,  till  the  quiet  warning  of 
almost  all  the  realm  united  in  one 
league  had  proved  ineffectual;  and 
when  at  last  there  was  nae  help  for't, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


m 


"  Hoot 

counsellor, 


and  they  were  called  by  their  con- 
ecicuce  and  dangers  to  gird  them- 
selves for  battle,  they  went  forth  in 
the  miijht  and  power  of  the  arm  of 
flesh,  ns  weel  as  of  a  righteous  cause. 
13ut,  sirs,  this  donsie  business  of  the 
J'entland  raid  was  but  a  splurt,  and 
tlie  publishing  of  the  Covenant,  after 
the  poor  folk  had  made  themselves 
rebels,  was,  to  say  the  least  o't,  a 
weak  conceit." 

"  We  were  not  rebels,"  cried  Esau 
Wardrop, 

toot,  friend,"  said  the 
"ye're  owre  hasty,  I  did 
na  ca'  the  poor  folk  rebels  in  the 
sense  of  a  rebellion,  where  might 
takes  the  lead  in  a  controversy  wi' 
right,  but  because  they  bad  risen 
against  the  law." 

"There  can  be  nae  rebellion 
against  a  law  that  teaches  things  over 
which  man  can  have  no  control,  the 
thought  and  the  conscience,"  said 
Esau  Wardrop. 

"  Aye,  aye,"  replied  the  counsellor, 
"a'  that's  .vera  true;  but  if  it  please 
the  wisdom  of  the  Iving,  by  and  with 
the  advice  of  his  privy  counsellors,  to 
prohibit  certain  actions — and  surely 
actions  are  neither  thoughts  nor  con- 
sciences,— do  ye  mean  to  say  that  the 
subject's  no  bound  to  obey  such 
royal  ordinances  ?  " 

"  Aye,  if  the  acts  are  in  themselves 
harmless,  and  trench  not  upon  any 
man's  rights  of  property  and  person." 

"Weel,  I'll  no  debate  that  wi' 
you,"  replied  the  worthy  counsellor ; 
"  but  surely  yc'U  ne'er  maintain  that 
conventicles,  and  the  desertion  of  the 
regular  and  appointed  places  of  wor- 
ship, are  harmless;  nor  can  it  be 
denied  that  sic  things  do  not  tend  to 
aggrieve  and  impair  the  clergy  baith 
in  their  minds  and  means  ?  " 

♦'  I  confess  that,"  said  Esau ;  "  but 
think,  that  the  conventicles  and 
desertions,  whereof  ye  speak,  sprang 
out  of  an  arbitrary  and  uncalled-for 


disturbance  of  the  peaceful  worship 
of  (iod.  Evil-counsellingcausedthem, 
and  evil-counselling  punishes  them 
till  the  punishment  can  be  no  longer 
endured." 

"  Ye're  a  doure-headed  man,"  said 
Deacon  Fulton,  "and  really  ye  hae 
gi'en  me  sic  a  cast  o'  your  knowledge, 
that  I  can  do  no  less  than  make  you  a 
return ;  so  tak'  this,  and  bide  nae 
langcr  in  Paisley  than  your  needs 
call."  With  that  he  laid  his  purse 
on  the  table  and  went  away.  But 
scarcely  had  he  departed  the  house, 
when  who  should  enter  but  the  very 
soldiers  from  whom  my  brother  and 
Esau  had  bo  marvellously  escaped. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

The  noise  of  taking  up  my  brother 
and  Esau  Wardrop  to  the  tolbooth 
by  the  soldiers  bred  a  great  wonder- 
ment in  the  town,  and  the  magistrates 
came  into,  the  prison  to  see  them. 
Then  it  was  that  they  recognised 
their  friendly  adviser  among  those  in 
authority.  But  he  signified,  by  wink- 
ing to  them,  ti  at  they  should  not 
know  him ;  to  wh;ch  they  comported 
themselves  so,  that  it  passed  as  he 
could  have  wished. 

"Provost,"  said  he  to  the  chief 
magistrate,  who  was  then  present 
with  them,  "though  thir  honest  men 
be  concerned  in  a  fret  against  the 
King's  Government,  they're  no  just 
iniquitous  malefactors,  and  therefore 
it  behoves  us,  for  the  little  time  they 
are  to  bide  here,  to  deal  compas- 
sionately with  them.  This  is  a  damp 
and  cauld  place.  I'm  sure  we  might 
gi'e  them  the  use  of  the  council- 
chamber,  and  direk  a  bit  spunk  o'  fire 
to  be  kindl't.  It's,  ye  ken,  but  for 
this  night  they  are  to  be  in  our  aught ; 
and  their  crime,  ye  ken,  Provost,  was 
mair  o'  the  judgment  than  the  heart, 


m 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


and  therefore  wo  should  think  how 
we  are  a'  prone  to  do  evil." 

13y  this  sort  of  petitionary  exhort- 
ing, that  worthy  man  carried  liis 
puiut  ;  and  the  Provost  consented 
that  the  prisoners  should  bo  rcnioved 
to  the  council-cliainbor,  whore  lie 
directed  a  fire  to  be  lighted  for  their 
Bolace. 

"Noo,  honest  men,"  said  their 
friend  the  deacon,  when  lie  was 
taking  leave  of  them,  after  seeing 
them  in  the  council-room,  "I  hope 
ye'll  make  yoursels  as  comfortable  as 
men  in  your  situation  can  reasonably 
be ;  and  look  ye,"  said  ho  to  my 
brother,  "if  the  wind  should  rise, 
and  the  smoke  no  vent  sae  wool  as  ye 
could  wis',  whicli  is  sometimes  tlio 
case  in  blowy  weather  when  the  door's 
shut,  just  open  a  wee  bit  jinkie  o' 
this  window,  and  he  gave  him  a 
squeeze  on  the  arm — it  looks  into  my 
yard.  —  Heh !  but  it's  wool  mindet, 
the  bar  on  my  back-yott's  in  the  want 
o'  reparation — I  maun  see  til't  the 
morn." 

There  was  no  difficulty  in  reading 
the  whumplet  meaning  of  this  couthi- 
nessanentthe  reeking  o'  the  chamber; 
and  my  brother  and  Esau,  when  the 
door  was  locket  on  them  for  the  night, 
soon  found  it  expedient  to  open  the 
window,  and  next  morning  the  kind 
counsellor  had  more  occasion  than 
ever  to  get  the  bar  o'  his  back-yett 
repaired ;  for  it  had  yielded  to  the  grip 
of  tlie  prisoners,  who,  long  afore  day, 
were  far  beyond  the  eye  and  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  magistrates  of  Paisley. 

Tlioy  took  tlie  straight  road  to  Kil- 
marnock, intending,  if  possible,  to 
hide  themselves  among  some  of  my 
brother  Jacob's  wife's  friends  in  that 
town.  He  liad  himself  been  dead 
some  short  time  before ;  but  in  the 
course  of  their  journey,  in  eschewing 
the  high  road  as  much  as  possible, 
they  found  a  good  friend  in  a  cottar 
who  lived  on  the  edge  of  the  Mearns 


moor,  and  with  him  they  were  per- 
suaded to  bide  till  the  day  of  th;it 
night  Avhen  we  met  in  so  reiniirkablo 
a  manner  on  the  sands  of  Ardrossaii ; 
and  the  cause  that  brought  him  tlu  re 
was  one  of  tlie  severest  trials  to 
which  he  had  yet  been  exposed,  as  1 
shall  now  rehearse. 

James  Greig,  the  kind  cottar  who 
sheltered  them  for  the  better  part  of 
three  weeks,  was  but  a  poor  man, 
and  two  additional  inmates  consumed 
til  meal  which  he  had  laid  in  for 
liiiioelf  and  his  wife,  so  that  he  was 
obligated  to  apply  twice  for  the  loan 
of  some  from  a  neighbour,  which 
caused  a  suspicion  to  arise  in  that 
neighbour's  mind  ;  and  ho  being 
loose -tongued,  and  a  talking  man, 
let  out  what  he  thought  in  a  public 
at  Kilmarnock,  in  j)resence  of  some 
one  connected  with  the  soldiers  then 
quartered  in  the  Doan  Castle.  A 
party,  in  consequence,  had  that  morn- 
ing been  sent  out  to  search  for  them; 
but  the  thoughtless  man  who  had 
done  the  ill  was  seized  with  a  remorse 
of  conscience  for  his  folly,  and  came 
in  time  to  advise  them  to  flee ;  but 
not  so  much  in  time  as  to  prevent 
them  from  being  soon  by  the  soldiers, 
who  no  sooner  discovered  them  than 
they  pursued  them.  What  became  of 
Esau  Wardrop  was  never  known ;  ho 
was  no  doubt  shot  in  his  flight ;  but 
my  brother  was  more  fortunate,  for 
he  kept  so  far  before  those  who  in 
particular  pursued  him,  tlutt,  although 
they  kept  him  in  view,  they  could  not 
overtake  him. 

Running  in  this  way  for  life  and 
liberty,  he  came  to  a  house  on  the 
road-side,  inhabited  by  a  lanerly  wo- 
man, and  the  door  being  open  he 
darted  in,  passing  through  to  the 
yard  behind,  where  he  found  himself 
in  an  enclosed  place,  out  of  whicli  ho 
saw  no  other  means  of  escape  but 
through  a  ditch  full  of  water.  The 
depth  of  it  at  the  time  he  did  not 


HINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


171 


think  of,  but  pliinf:jing  in,  he  found 
himself  up  to  tlio  chin  ;  at  that  mo- 
ment he  heard  the  soldiers  at  hand  ; 
80  tlio  thou<j;lit  struck  him  to  remain 
where  he  was,  and  to  go  under  a 
bramble-busli  that  overhung,'  the  wa- 
ter, Hy  this  means  he  was  so  effect- 
ually concealed,  that  the  soldiers, 
losing  sight  of  him,  wreaked  their 
anger  and  disappointment  on  the 
poor  woman,  dragging  her  with  them 
to  the  Dean  Castle,  where  they  threw 
her  into  the  dungeon,  in  the  darkness 
of  Avhich  she  perished,  as  was  after- 
wards well  known  through  all  that 
country  side. 

After  escaping  from  the  ditch,  my 
brother  turned  his  course  more  north- 
erly, and  had  closed  his  day  of  suffer- 
ing on  Kilbride-hill,  where  drawn  by 
his  affections  to  seek  some  knowledge 
of  his  wife  and  daughter,  ho  had  re- 
solved to  risk  himself  as  near  as  pos- 
sible to  Quharist  that  night;  and 
coming  along  with  the  shower  on  his 
back,  which  blew  so  strong  in  our 
faces,  he  saw  us  by  the  glitapses  of 
the  temjiostuous  moonlight  as  we  were 
approaching,  and  had  denned  himself 
on  the  road-side  till  we  should  pass, 
being  fearful  we  might  prove  enemies. 
Some  accidental  lament  or  complaint, 
uttered  unconsciously  by  me,  made 
him,  however,  think  he  know  the 
voice,  and  moved  thereby,  he  started 
up,  and  had  just  joined  us  when  he 
was  discovered  ia  so  awakening  a 
manner. 

Thus  came  my  brother  and  I  to 
meet  after  the  raid  of  Pentland  ;  and 
having  heard  from  mo  all  that  he 
could  reasonably  liopo  for,  regarding 
the  most  valued  casket  of  hi.s  affec- 
tions, he  came  along  with  Mr  Wither- 
spoon ;  and  we  were  next  morning 
safely  ferried  over  into  the  wee  Cum- 
raes,  by  James  Plowter,  the  ferryman, 
to  whom  we  were  both  well  known. 

There  was  then  only  a  herd's  house 
OQ  the  island ;  but  there  could  be  no 


truer  or  kinder  Christiana  than  tho 
herd  and  his  wife.  We  stayed  with 
them  till  far  in  the  year,  hearing 
often,  through  James  Plowter,  of  our 
friends;  and  above  all  tho  joyous 
news,  in  little  more  than  a  week 
after  our  lauding,  of  Sarah  Lochrig 
having  boon  ]>ernuttcd  to  leave  tho 
tolbooth  of  Irvine,  without  further 
dulo  than  a  reproof  from  Provost 
Reid,  that  had  more  in  it  of  commen- 
dation than  roiiroach. 

It  is  well  set  forth  in  all  the  various 
histories  of  this  dismal  epoch,  that 
the  cry  of  blood  had  gone  so  vehe- 
mently up  to  heaven  from  the  graves 
of  the  martyred  Covenanters,  that  tho 
Lord  moved  tii  heart  of  Charles 
Stuart  to  more  merciful  measures, 
but  only  for  a  season.  The  apostate 
James  Sharp  and  the  other  counsel- 
lors, whose  weakness  or  wickiilness 
fell  in  with  his  tyrannical  proselytis- 
ing purposes,  were  wised  from  the  rule 
of  power,  and  the  Earl.s  of  Tweeddale 
and  Kincardine,  with  that  learned  sage 
and  philosopher.  Sir  John  Murray, 
men  of  more  beneficent  dispositions, 
were  appointed  to  sit  in  their  places 
in  the  Privy  Council  at  Edinburgh  ; 
so  that  all  in  our  condition  were 
heartened  to  return  to  their  homes. 

As  soon  as  we  heard  that  the 
ravenous  soldiery  were  withdrawn 
from  the  shire  of  Ayr,  my  brother 
and  I,  with  Mr  Witherspoon,  after  an 
abode  of  more  than  seven  months  in 
yon  solitary  and  rocky  islet,  returned 
to  Quharist.  But,  O  courteous  reader, 
I  dare  not  venture  to  tell  of  the  joy 
of  the  meeting,  and  the  fond  inter- 
mingling of  embraces,  that  was  too 
great  a  reward  for  all  our  suflFerings  ; 
for  now  I  approach  the  memorials  of 
those  things,  by  which  the  terrible 
Heavens  have  manifested  that  I  was 
ordained  from  the  beginning  to  launch 
the  bolt  that  was  chosen  from  tho 
quiver  in  the  armory  of  the  Almighty 
avenger,  to  overthrow  the  oppressor 


172 


EINGAN  GILHAIZB. 


y 


jind  oppression  of  my  imtive  laud.  It 
is  therefore  enough  to  state  that,  upon 
my  return  homo,  where  I  expected  to 
find  my  lands  Wiasto  and  my  fences 
broken  down,  I  found  all  things  in 
better  order  tlian  they  maybe  would 
have  been  had  the  eye  of  the  master 
been  over  them  ;  for  our  kind  neigh- 
bours, out  of  a  friendly  consideration 
for  my  family,  had  in  tiie  spring  tilled 
tlie  ground  and  sown  the  seed,  by 
day-and-day-about  labour ;  and  surely 
it  was  a  pleasant  thing,  in  the  midst 
of  such  a  general  depravity  of  the 
human  heart,  so  prevalent  at  that 
period,  to  hear  of  such  constancy  and 
christian -miudedness  ;  for  it  was  not 
towards  my  brother  and  me  only  that 
such  things  were  done :  the  same  was 
common  throughout  the  country  to- 
wards the  lands  and  families  of  the 
persecuted. 

But  the  lown  of  that  time  was  Jis  a 

f)et  day  in  winter.  In  the  harvest, 
lowever,  when  the  proposal  came  out 
that  we  should  give  bonds  to  keep  the 
peace,  I  made  no  scruple  of  signing 
the  same,  and  of  getting  my  wife's 
father,  who  was  not  out  in  the  raid, 
to  be  my  cautioner.  In  the  doing  of 
this  I  did  not  renounce  the  Covenant; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  I  considered  that 
by  the  bonds  the  King  was  as  much 
bound  to  preserve  things  in  the  state 
under  which  I  granted  the  bond,  as  I 
was  to  remain  in  the  quiet  condition 
I  was  when  I  signed  it. 

After  the  bonds  of  peace  came  the 
indulgence,  and  the  chief  heritors  of 
our  parish  havirg  something  to  say 
with  the  Lord  Tweeddale,  leave  was 
obtained  for  Mr  Swinton  to  comeback, 
and  we  had  made  a  paction  with 
Andrew  Dornock,  the  prelatic  curate 
and  incumbent,  to  let  him  have  his 
manse  again.  But  although  Mr 
Swinton  did  return,  and  his  family 
were  again  gathered  around  him,  he 
would  not,  as  he  himself  said  to  me,  so 
far  bow  the  knee  to  Baal  as  to  bring  the 


Church  of  Christ  in  any  measure  or 
way  into  Erastian  dependence  on  the 
civd  magistrate.  So  lie  neither  would 
return  to  the  manso  nor  enter  the  pul- 
pit, but  continued,  for  the  space  of 
several  years  to  reside  at  (iuhaii8t,and 
to  preacli  on  the  summer  Sundays 
from  the  window  in  the  gable. 

In  the  spring,  however,  of  the 
year  1G71:  he,  after  a  lingering  illness, 
closed  his  life  and  ministry.  For 
sometime  he  had  felt  himself  going 
hence,  and  the  tenor  of  his  prayers  and 
sermons  had  for  several  months  been 
of  a  higli  and  searching  efficacy ;  and 
he  never  failed,  Sabbath  after  Sabbath, 
just  before  pronouncing  the  bles- 
sing, to  return  public  thanks  that  the 
Lord  was  drawing  him  so  softly  away 
from  the  world,  and  from  the  storms 
that  were  gathering  in  the  black  cloud 
of  prelacy  which  still  overhung  and 
darkened  the  ministry  of  the  Kirk  of 
Scotland, — a  method  of  <idmonition 
that  was  awfully  awakening  to  the 
souls  of  his  hearers,  and  treasured 
by  them  as  a  solemn  breathing  of  the 
inspiration  of  prophecy. 

When  he  was  laid  in  the  earth, 
and  Mr  Witherspoon,  by  some  hand- 
ling on  my  part,  was  invited  to  fill  the 
void  which  his  removal  had  left  among 
us,  the  wind  again  began  to  fisle,  and 
the  signs  of  a  tempest  were  seen  in 
the  changes  of  the  llo3'al  Councils. 
The  gracious-hearted  statesmen  be- 
fore spoken  of  were  removed  from 
their  benignant  spheres  like  falling 
stars  from  the  firmament,  and  the 
Duke  of  Lauderdale  was  endowed 
with  the  power  to  persecute  and  do- 
mincer. 

Scarcely  was  he  seated  in  the 
Council  when  the  edicts  of  oppression 
were  renewed.  The  prelates  became 
clamorous  for  his  interference,  find  the 
penalties  of  the  bonds  of  peace  pre- 
sented the  means  of  supplying  the 
inordinate  wants  of  his  rapacious  wife. 
Steps  were  accordingly  soon  taken  to 


KTNGAN  OTLHATZ-R. 


173 


ap|)ea80  and  pleasure  botli.  The  court- 
contrived  crime  of  liearing  the  gospel 
prcacbed  in  the  fields,  as  it  was  by 
John  in  the  Wilderness  and  Jesus  on 
the  Mount,  was  again  prohibited  with 
new  rigour ;  and  1  for  one  soon  felt 
that    in  the  renewed  persecution  of 
those  who  attended  tho  conventicles, 
the  King  had  again  as  much  broken 
the  conditions  under  which  I  gave  the 
bond  of  peace,  as  he  had  before  bro- 
ken the  vows  of  the  Solemn  League 
and   Covenant ;    so  that   when    the 
guilty   project    was    ripened    in    his 
bloody  councils,  that  the  West  Coun- 
try should  be  again  exasperated  into 
rebellion,  that  a  reason  might  be  pro- 
cured for  keeping  up  a  standing  army, 
in   order  that    the  three    kingdoms 
might  be  ruled  by  prerogative  instead 
of  parliament,  I  freely  confess  that  I 
was  one  of  those  who  did  refuse  to 
sign  tho  bonds  that  were  devised  t  o 
provoke    the   rebellion, — bonds,    the 
terms  whereof  sufficiently  manifested 
the  purpose  that  governed  the  fram- 
ers  in  the  framing.  We  were  required 
by  them,  under  severe  penalties,  to  un- 
dertake that  neither  our  families,  nor 
our  servants,  nor  our  tenants,  nor  the 
servants  of  our  tenants,  nor  any  others 
residing  upon  our  land,  should  with- 
draw from  the  churches  or  adhere  to 
conventicles,  or  succour  field  preach- 
ers, or  persons  who  had  incurred  the 
penalties  attached   to  those  prelate- 
devised    offences.     And  because  we 
refused  to  sign  these  bonds,  and  con- 
tinued to  worship  God  in  the  peace- 
fulness    of    the    gospel,    the    whole 
country  was  treated  by  the  Duhe  of 
Lauderdale  as  in  a  state  of  revolt. 

The  English  forces  came  muster- 
ing against  us  on  the  borders,  the 
Irish  garrisons  were  drawn  to  the 
coast  to  invade  us,  and  the  lawless 
Highlanders  were  tempted,  by  their 
need  and  greed,  and  a  royal  promise 
of  indemnity  for  whatsoever  outrages 
they  might  commit,  to  come  down 


ui)on  us  in  all  their  fury.  By  these 
means  ten  thousand  ruthless  soldiers 
and  unreclaimed  barbarians  were  let 
loose  upon  us,  while  we  were  sitting 
in  the  sun  listening,  I  may  say  truly, 
to  those  gracious  counsellings  which 
breathe  nothing  but  peace  and  good- 
will. When,  since  the  burning  days 
of  Dioclesian,  the  Roman  Emperor, 
— when  since  tho  massacre  of  the 
Protestants  by  orders  of  the  French 
king  on  the  eve  of  St.  Bartholomew, 
was  80  black  a  crime  ever  porpetrated 
by  u  guilty  Government  on  its  own 
subjects?  But  I  was  myself  among 
the  greatest  of  the  sufferers ;  and  it  is 
needful  that  I  should  now  clothe  my 
thoughts  with  sobriety,  and  restrain 
the  ire  of  the  pen  of  grief  and  re- 
venge.— Not  revenge  !  No  ;  let  tho 
word  be  here — justice. 

The  Highland  host  came  on  us  in 
want,  and,  but  for  their  license  to 
destroy,  in  beggary.  Yet  when  they 
returned  to  their  wild  homes  amony 
tho  distant  hills,  they  were  laden  as 
with  the  household  wealth  of  a  realm, 
in  so  much  that  they  were  rendered 
defenceless  by  the  weight  of  their 
spoil.  At  the  bridge  of  Glasgow  the 
students  of  the  College  and  the  otiier 
brave  youths  of  that  town,  looking  on 
them  with  true  Scottish  hearts,  and 
wrathful  to  see  that  the  barbarians 
had  been  such  robbers  of  their  fellow- 
subjects,  stopped  above  two  thousand 
of  them,  and  took  from  them  their 
congregations  of  goods  and  wares, 
wearing  apparel,  pots,  pans,  and  grid- 
irons, and  other  furniture,  wherewith 
they  had  burdened  themselves  like 
bearers  at  a  flitting.  My  house  was 
stript  to  a  wastage,  and  everything 
was  taken  away ;  what  was  too  heavy 
to  be  easily  transported  was,  alter 
being  carried  some  distance,  left  on 
the  road.  The  very  shoes  were  taken 
off  my  wife's  feet,  and  "ye'U  no  be  a 
refuse  to  gi'e  me  that,"  said  a  red- 
haired  reprobate  as  he  took  hold  of 


174 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


Snrali  Tjochriir's  hand  and  robbed  licr 
of  her  weddinrf-ring.  I  was  present 
and  saw  the  deed  ;  I  felt  my  liands 
clench,  but  in  my  spirit  1  discovered 
that  it  was  then  the  Jiour  of  outrage, 
and  that  the  Avenger's  time  was  not 
yet  como. 

Itarely  has  it  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
man  to  be  so  blessed  with  such  chil- 
dren as  mine ;  but  surely  I  was  un- 
worthy of  the  blessing.  And  yet, 
though  maybe  unworthy,  Lord,  thou 
knowest  by  the  nightly  anthems  oi 
thankfulness  that  rose  from  my  hearth, 
that  the  chief  sentiment  in  my  breast, 
in  those  moments  of  melody,  was  my 
inward  acknowledgment  to  Thee  for 
having  made  this  world  bo  bright  to 
me,  with  an  ofTspring  so  good  and 
fair,  and  with  Sarah  Lochrig,  their 
mother,  she  whose  life  was  the  sweet- 
ness in  the  cup  of  my  felicity.  Let 
me  not,  however,  hurry  on,  nor  for- 
get that  I  am  but  an  historian,  and 
that  it  befits  not  the  juridical  pun  of 
the  character  to  dwell  upon  my  own 
woes  wlien  I  have  to  tell  of  the  suffer- 
ings of  others. 

Tlio  trials  and  the  tribulations 
which  I  had  heard  so  much  of,  and 
whereof  I  had  witnessed  so  many, 
made  me  in  a  sense  but  little  liable  to 
be  moved  when  told  of  any  new  out- 
rage, lint  the  sight  of  tliat  Iligh- 
lauder  wrenching  from  Sarah  Loch- 
rig's  finger  our  wedding  ring  did,  in 
its  effects  and  influences,  cause  a 
change  in  my  nature  as  sudden  and 
as  wonderful  as  that  which  the  rod  of 
!Moses  underwent  in  being  quickened 
into  a  serpent. 

For  eotno  time  T  sat  as  I  was 
sitting  wiiilo  tlie  deed  was  doing ; 
and  when  my  wife,  after  tlio  plun- 
derers liad  departed,  said  to  me, 
soothingly,  that  w;  had  reason  to  be 
thankful  for  liaving  endured  no  other 
loss  than  a  little  world's  gc;ir,  she 
was  surprised  at  the  scdateness  with 
which  I  responded  to  her  pioua  cou- 


dolem^nts.  Michael,  our  first-born, 
then  in  the  prime  beauty  of  his  man- 
hood, had  been  absent  when  tho 
robbery  wprj  connnitted,  and  coming 
in,  on  heiuing  what  had  been  done, 
flamed  with  the  generous  rage  of 
youth,  and  marvelled  tliat  I  had  been 
so  calm.  ^ly  blithe  and  blooming 
^lary  joined  her  ingenuous  admiration 
to  theirs,  but  my  mild  and  sensible 
^largaret  fell  upon  my  neck,  and 
weeping,  cried,  "  (),  father,  it's  no 
,.  3rth  the  doure  thought  that  gars 
your  brows  sac  gloom  ;  "  while  Joseph, 
the  youngest  of  the  flock,  then  in  liis 
twelfth  year,  brought  the  Bible  and 
laid  it  on  my  knees. 

I  opened  the  book-,  and  would  havo 
read  a  portion,  but  the  passage  which 
caught  my  eye  was  tliC  beginning  of 
the  sixth  chapter  of  Jeremiah,  "  O 
ye  children  of  Uenjamin,  gather  your- 
selves to  flee  out  of  the  midst  of  Jer- 
usaleui,  and  blow  the  trumpet  in 
'i'ekoa,  and  set  up  a  sign  of  fire  iu 
Beth-haccerem  ;  for  evil  appeareth  out 
of  the  north,  and  great  destruction." 
And  I  thought  it  was  a  voice  calling 
me  to  arm,  and  to  raise  the  banner 
against  the  oppressor  ;  and  thercupou 
I  shut  the  book,  and  retii.'ng  to  tho 
fields,  communed  with  myself  for 
some  time; 

Having  returned  into  tho  house, 
and  sent  Michael  to  my  brotlier's  to 
inquire  Iiow  it  had  fared  with  him  and 
Ids  family,  I  at  tiie  same  time  directed 
Joseph  to  go  to  Irvine,  and  tell  our 
friends  thereto  help  us  with  a  8up[)ly 
of  blankets,  for  the  HIghlan(l(!rs  had 
taken  away  my  horses  Jind  driven  olT 
my  cattle,  and  wo  had  no  means  of 
bringing  any  thing. 

But  Joseph  was  not  long  gone  when 
Michael  can.o  flying  back  from  my 
brother's,  and  1  saw  by  his  looks  that 
something  very  dreadful  had  been 
committed,  and  said — • 

"  Are  they  all  in  life  ?  " 

"Aye,  iu  lifel"   and,  the  teara 


RING  AN  firLFTATZE. 


176 


in-!liin<,'  into  \m  oyt's,  he  oxcljiimed, 
"  l?iit  O  !  I  wish  that  my  coiisia  Ikll 
had  boon  (loa<l  and  buri(!d  !" 

1)1 '11  Gilhaize,  my  brothor's  only 
dnufjl'.tor,  was  tl"^,  ]ij,'htost-hoartf d 
maiden  in  all  our  parish.  It  had  loi  u 
boon  a  ])leasurc  both  to  hor  fatiier  and 
me  to  obyurve  a  minf,din^'  of  aft'eotioiis 
between  hor  and  Michael,  and  the 
year  following  had  been  fixed  for  their 
marriage. 

"  The  time  of  weeping,  Michael," 
said  I,  "is  ^ast,  and  the  time  of  war- 
ring will  soon  oomo.  It  is  not  in  man 
to  bear  always  aggression,  nor  can  it 
bo  required  of  him  ever  to  endure 
contumely." 

"What  has  befallen  Bell?"  said 
his  mother  to  him ;  but  instead  of 
making  li  "  any  answer  he  uttered  a 
dreadful  sound,  like  the  howl  of  mad- 
ness, and  hastily  quitted  the  house. 

Sarah  Lochrig,  who  was  a  woman 
of  a  serene  reason,  and  mild  and 
gracious  in  her  nature,  looked  at  mo 
Avitii  a  silent  sadness,  that  told  all  tlie 
angui.sh  with  which  tiie  hoi.xr  that 
slie  guessed  had  darted  into  her  soul ; 
and  tiien,  with  an  energy  that  I  never 
sa,v  in  her  before,  folded  her  own  tvo 
daughters  to  her  bosom,  as  if  she  wan 
in  terror  for  tiiom,  and  bathed  their 
necks  with  tears. 

Wiiilo  wo  were  in  this  state  my 
brother  himself  came  in.  lie  was  now 
a  man  well  stricken  in  years,  but  of  a 
halo  appearance,  and  usually  of  an 
open  and  manly  countenance.  Nor 
on  this  occasion  did  he  appear  greatly 
altered  ;  but  there  was  a  lire  in  his 
eye,  and  a  severity  in  his  aspect,  such 
as  I  had  never  seen  before,  yet  withal 
a  fortitude  tliat  showed  how  strong 
the  self-po«session  was,  which  kept 
the  tempest  within  him  from  breaking 
out  in  word  or  gesture. 

"  Ilingan,"  said  ho,  "  we  have  met 
with  a  misfortune.  It's  the  will  of 
IVovidence,  and  wo  maun  bear  it. 
But  surely  in  thy  ouggr  ti^ati  k  ca,uaQd 


by  provocation,  our  Creator  tells  U3 
to  resent.  From  this  hour,  all  obli- 
gation, obedience,  allegiance,  all  wliat- 
.so'.vor  that  as  a  subject  I  did  owe  to 
Charles  Stuart  is  at  an  end.  I  am  hia 
foe  ;  and  the  Lord  put  strength  into 
my  .irm  to  revenge  the  ruin  of  my 
bairn  ! " 

There  was  in  the  utterance  of  these 
words  a  solemnity  at  first  terrifying 
to  hear ;  but  his  voice  in  the  last 
clause  of  the  sentence  faltered,  and  ho 
took  off  his  bonnet  and  held  it  over 
hia  face,  and  wept  bitterly. 

I  could  make  him  no  answer  for 
some  time ;  but  I  took  hold  of  hia 
hand,  and  when  ho  had  a  little 
mastered  his  grief,  I  said,  "Brother, 
we  are  children  of  the  same  parents, 
and  the  wrongs  of  one  are  the  wrongs 
of  both.     But  let  us  not  be  hasty." 

He  took  the  bonnet  from  his  face, 
and  looked  at  me  sternly  for  a  little 
while,  and  then  he  said — 

"  Ringan  (Jilhaizo,  till  you  have 
felt  what  1  feel,  you  ne'er  can  know 
that  the  speed  o'  liglitning  is  slow  to 
the  wishes  and  the  will  of  revenge." 

At  that  moment  his  daugliter  Bell 
was  brought  in,  led  by  my  son 
JMichael.  Her  father,  at  the  sight 
of  her,  clasped  hu  hands  v/ildly 
.above  his  head,  and  rushed  out  of 
the  house.  My  wife  went  towards 
her,  but  stopped  and  fell  back  into 
my  arms  at  the  sight  of  her  demented 
look.  My  daughters  gazed,  and  held 
up  their  trembling  hands. 

"Speak  to  her,"  said  IMichael  to 
his  sisters;  "she'll  maybe  heed  you;" 
and  ho  added,  "  Bell,  it's  Mary  and 
Peggy,"  and  dropping  her  hand,  ho 
went  to  lead  Mary  to  her,  while  sho 
stood  like  a  statue  on  the  spot. 

"  Dear  J5ell,"  said  I,  as  I  moved 
mvself  gently  from  the  arms  of  my 
alllictcd  wife,  "come  wi'  me  to  tho 
open  air;"  and  I  took  her  by  the 
hand  which  poor  Michael  had  dropped, 
aud  k<^  iier  out  to  the  green,  but  still 


176 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


shu  looked  the  same  demented 
creature. 

Her  father,  who  had  by  this  time 
again  overcome  his  distress,  s-ieingus 
on  the  green,  camo  towards  us,  while 
my  wife  and  daughters  also  came  out; 
but  Michael  could  no  longer  endure 
the  sight,  and  lie  remained  to  hide  his 
grief  in  the  house. 

"  Her  mind's  gone,  Ringan,"  said 
my  brother,  "and  she'll  ne'er  be  better 
in  this  world ! "  Nor  was  she ;  but  she 
lived  many  months  after,  and  in  all 
the  time  never  shed  a  tear,  nor 
breathed  a  sigh,  nor  spoke  a  word ; 
where  she  was  led,  she  went ;  where 
she  was  left,  she  stood.  At  last  she 
became  so  weak  that  she  could  not 
stand;  and  one  day,  as  I  was  sitting 
at  her  bedside,  I  observed  that  she 
lay  unusually  still,  and  touching  her 
hati,  found  that  all  her  sorrows 
were  over. 


CHAPTEK    XXIV. 

From  that  day  my  brother  seldom 
held  any  communion  with  me;  but  I 
observed  that  with  Michael  he  had 
much  business,  and  though  I  asked 
no  questions,  I  needed  not  to  bo  told 
that  there  was  a  judgment  and  a  doom 
in  what  they  did.  I  was  therefore 
fearful  that  some  rash  step  Avould  lie 
taken  at  the  burial  of  Bell :  ior  it  was 
understood  that  all  the  neighbours, 
far  and  near,  intended  to  be  present 
to  testify  their  pity  for  her  fate.  So 
I  spoke  to  IVIr  "Witlierspoou  concern- 
ing my  fears,  and  by  his  exhortations 
the  body  was  borne  to  the  kirkyard 
in  a  solemn  and  peaceable  manner. 

Hut  just  as  the  colUn  was  laid  in 
the  grave,  and  before  a  spadeful  of 
earth  was  thrown,  a  boy  came  running 
crying,  "  Sliarp's  kill't ! — tlie  apos- 
tate's dead  ! "  which  made  every  one 
turn  round  and  pause  ;  and  while  we 
were  thus  standing,  a  horseman  came 


riding  by,  who  confirmed  the  tidings, 
that  a  band  of  men  whom  his  perse- 
cutions had  made  desperate,  had  ex- 
ecuted justice  on  the  apostate  as  ho 
was  travelling  in  his  carriage  with  hia 
daughter  on  Magus-moor.  While  tho 
stranger  was  telling  the  news,  tho 
corpse  lay  in  the  grave  unburied ;  and 
dreadful  to  tell !  when  ho  had  mado 
an  end  of  his  tale,  there  was  a  shout 
of  joy  and  exultation  set  up  by  all 
present,  except  by  Michael  and  my 
brother.  They  stood  unmoved,  and 
I  thought — do  I  them  any  wrong? 
— that  they  looked  disconsolate  and 
disappointed. 

IJut  though  the  judgment  of  James 
Sharp  was  a  cause  of  satisfaction  to 
all  covenanted  hearts,  many  were  not 
yet  so  torn  by  the  persecution  as  en- 
tirely to  applaud  the  deed.  1  shall  not 
therefore  enter  upon  the  particulars 
of  what  was  done  anent  those  wlio 
dealt  his  doom,  for  they  were  not  of 
our  neighbourhood. 

The  crime,  however,  of  listening 
peacefully  in  the  fields  to  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel  became,  in  the  sight  of 
the  persecutors,  every  day  more  and 
more  heinous,  and  they  gave  them- 
selves up  to  the  conscience-soothing 
tyranny  of  legal  ordinances,  as  if  tlio 
enactment  and  execution  of  bloody 
laws,  contrary  to  those  of  God,  and 
.igainst  the  imoffcnding  privileges  of 
our  nature,  were  not  wickedness  of  as 
dark  a  stain  as  the  murderer's  use  of 
his  secret  knife.  Edict  and  proclama- 
tion against  field-preachings  and  con- 
venticles came  following  each  other, 
and  the  latest  was  the  fiercest  and 
fellest  of  all  which  had  preceded.  l?ut 
tho  cause  of  truth,  and  the  right  of 
communion  with  the  Lord,  was  not  to 
be  given  up  :  "  It  is  not  for  glory," 
wo  said  in  the  words  of  those  bravo 
Scottish  barons  that  redeemed,  with 
King  Kobert  the  Bruce,  their  native 
land  from  the  thraldom  of  the  English 
Edward,  "  nor  is  it  for  riches,  neither 


TvIN^-iAJT  GILHATZE. 


Ill 


is  it  for  honour,  but  it  is  for  liberty 
alone  we  oonteiul,  wliicli  no  true  man 
will  lose  but  witli  his  life;"  and  there- 
fore it  was  that  we  would  not  yield 
obedience  to  the  tyranny,  which  was 
revived  with  new  strengtii  by  the  death 
of  James  .Sharp,  in  revenge  for  his 
doom,  but  sought,  in  despite  of  de- 
crees and  statues,  to  hear  thk  Word 
where  we  believed  it  was  b(.fit  spoken. 

The  laws  of  God,  which  are  above 
all  human  authority,  require  that  we 
should  worship  Him  in  truth  and  in 
holiness,  and  we  '  "^olvcd  to  do  so  to 
tlie  uttermost,  aiul  prepared  ourselves 
witli  arms  to  resist  whoever  might  be 
sent  to  molest  us  in  the  performance 
of  that  tlie  greatest  duty.  But  in  so 
exercising  the  diviije  right  of  resis- 
tance, we  were  not  called  upon  to 
harm  those  whom  we  knew  to  be  our 
adversaries.  Belting  ourselves  for 
defence,  not  for  war,  we  went  singly 
to  our  places  of  secret  meeting  in  the 
glens  and  on  the  moors,  and  when  the 
holy  exercise  was  done,  wc  returned  to 
our  homes  as  peacefully  as  we  went 
thitlier. 

Many  a  time  I  have  since  thought, 
that  surely  in  no  otiier  age  or  land 
was  ever  such  a  solemn  celebration  of 
tlie  Sabbath  as  in  those  days.  The 
very  dangers  witli  whicii  we  were  en- 
vironofl  exalted  the  devout  heart ; 
verily  it  was  a  grand  sight  to  see  the 
fearless  religious  man  moving  from 
his  house  in  the  grey  of  the  morning, 
with  the  Bible  in  his  hand,  and  his 
sword  for  a  staff,  walking  towards  the 
hills  for  many  a  weary  mile,  hoping 
the  jireaclier  would  be  there,  and 
praying  as  he  went  that  there  might 
be  no  molestation. 

Often  and  often  ontiiosc  occasions 
has  tlie  Lord  been  pleased  to  shelter 
his  worshipjiers  from  their  persecutors 
by  covi '.  iig  them  with  the  mantle  of 
his  tempest;  and  many  a  time  at  the 
dead  of  niglit,  when  the  winds  were 
soughing  around,  and  the  moon  was 


bowling  through  the  cloud?,  we  have 
stood  on  tlie  lieatli  of  the  hills  and 
the  sound  of  our  psalms  has  been 
mingled  with  the  roaring  of  tho 
gathering  waters. 

The  calamities  which  drove  us  thus 
to  worship  in  the  wilderness,  and  a- 
midst  the  storm,  rose  to  their  full  tide 
on  the  back  of  tiie  death  of  the  arch- 
apostate  James  Sharp  ;  for  all  the  re- 
ligious people  in  the  realm  were  in  a 
manner  regarded  by  the  Government 
as  participators  in  the  method  of  his 
punishment  And  Claverhouse,  whom 
1  have  Jiow  to  speak  of,  got  that 
special  commission  on  which  he  rode 
so  wickedly,  to  put  to  the  sword 
whomsoever  he  found  with  arms  at 
any  preaching  in  the  fields  ;  so  that 
we  had  no  choice  in  seeking  to  ob- 
tain the  consolations  of  religion, 
which  we  then  stood  so  much  in  need 
of,  but  to  congregate  in  such  num- 
bers as  would  deter  the  soldiers  from 
venturing  to  attack  us.  Thus  it  waa 
which  caused  the  second  rising,  and 
led  to  tho  fatal  day  of  Bothwell- 
brigg,  whereof  it  is  needful  that  I 
should  particularly  speak,  not  only 
on  account  of  the  great  stress  that 
was  thereon  laid  by  the  persecutors, 
in  making  out  of  it  a  method  of 
liery  ordeal  to  afflict  the  covenanted, 
but  also  because  it  was  the  over- 
flowing fountain-head  of  the  deluge 
that  made  me  desolate.  And  here- 
in, courteous  reader,  should  ought 
of  a  fiercer  feeling  than  belongs  to 
tiie  sacred  sternness  of  truth  and 
justice  escape  from  my  historical  pen, 
thou  wilt  surely  pardon  the  same,  if 
there  be  any  of  the  gnacious  ruth  of 
Christian  gentleness  in  thy  bosom  ; 
for  now  I  have  to  tell  of  things  that 
have  made  tlie  annals  of  the  land  as 
i-i'd  as  crimson,  and  filled  my  house 
with  the  blackness  of  ashes  and 
universal  death. 

For  a  long  period  there  had  been, 
from  the  causes  and  circumstances 


178 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


premised,  sore  (lifRculties  in  the  as- 
sembling of  coiigre<jations,  and  the 
sacrament  of  the  Supper  had  not 
been  dispensed  in  mnny  parts  of  the 
shire  of  Ayr  from  the  time  of  the 
Higiiland  liost ;  so  that  there  was  a 
grta:;  longing  in  the  hearts  of  tlie 
coveuMntcd  to  partaiie  once  again  of 
that  holy  refreshment ;  and  shortly 
after  the  seed-time  it  began  to  be 
concerted,  that  eirlj  in  the  summer 
a  day  should  be  set  apart,  and  a  place 
fixed  for  tiie  celebration  of  tiie  same. 
About  the  time  of  the  interment  of 
my  brother's  daughter,  and  the  judg- 
ment of  the  deatli  executed  on  James 
Sharp,  it  was  .settled  that  the  moors 
of  liOiidon-hill  should  be  the  ])lai;e  of 
meeting,  and  that  the  first  S;ibbatli  of 
June  should  be  the  day.  But  what 
ministers  would  be  tliere  was  not  set- 
tled; for  who  could  tell  wiiich,  in 
those  times,  would  be  spared  from 
prison  ? 

It  was,  however,  forethought  and 
foreseen,  that  the  assemblage  of  com- 
municants would  be  very  consider- 
able ;  for,  in  order  that  there  might 
be  the  less  risk  of  molestation,  a 
wish  that  it  should  be  so  was  put 
forth  among  us,  to  the  end  that  the 
king's  forces  miglit  swither  to  dis- 
perse us.  Accordingly,  with  my 
disconsolate  brother  and  son,  I  went 
to  be  present  at  thjit  congrega- 
tion, and  we  carried  our  arms  with 
us,  as  we  were  then  in  the  habit  of 
doing  on  all  occasions  of  public  testi- 
mony by  worship. 

In  the  mewntimc  a  rent  had  been 
made  in  the  Covenant,  partly  by  the 
over  zeal  of  certain  young  preaeheis, 
who.  not  feeling,  as  we  did.  that  tlie 
duty  of  rresl)yferians  went  no  fai  ther 
than  defence  and  resist.'ince,  strove, 
with  all  the  pith  of  an  effectual  elo- 
quence, to  exasperate  the  minds  of 
their  hearers  into  hostility  again.st 
those  ill  authority  ;  and  it  happened 
that  sevwal  of  those  who  had  executed 


the  judgment  on  James  Sharp,  seeing 
no  hope  of  pardon  for  what  they  had 
done,  leagued  themselves  with  this 
party,  in  the  hope  of  thereby  making 
head  against  their  pursuers. 

I  have  been  the  mure  strict  in  set- 
ing  down  the.sc  circumstantials,  be- 
cause in  the  bloody  afterings  of  that 
meeting  they  were  altogether  lost 
sight  of ;  and  also,  because  the 
implacable  rage  witii  which  Claver- 
house  persecuted  the  Covenanters  haa 
been  extenuated  by  some  discreet 
historians,  on  the  plea  of  his  being  an 
honourable  officer,  deduced  from  his 
soldierly  worth  elsewhere  ;  whereas 
the  truih  is,  that  his  cruelties  in  the 
shire  of  Ayr,  and  other  of  our  western 
parts,  were  less  the  fruit  of  his  instruc- 
tions, wide  and  severe  as  they  were, 
than  of  his  own  mortified  vanity  and 
malii:nant  revenge. 

It  was  in  the  cool  of  the  evening, 
on  Saturday  the  last  day  of  May, 
when  my  brother  came  over  to  my 
hou.se,  where,  with  Michael,  T  had 
prepared  myself  to  go  with  him  to 
Loudon-hill.  Our  intent  was  to  walk 
that  night  to  Kilmarnock,  and  abide 
till  the  morning  with  our  brother 
Jacob's  widow,  not  having  seen  her 
for  a  long  time. 

We  had  in  the  course  of  that  day 
heard  .something  of  the  publication  of 
"The  Declaration  and  'JVstimony," 
which,  througli  the  vehemence  of  th-. 
preachers  before  spoken  of,  had  been 
rashly  coun.selltMl  at  Uuglen,  on  the 
iiOtli  of  the  month  ;  l)Ut  there  was  ?io 
jiarticulars,  and  what  we  did  hear  w.u, 
like,  a.s  all  such  things  ar",  grt'atly 
magnified  beyond  the  truth.  We,  how- 
ever, wt  re  grieved  by  the  tidings  ;  for 
we  fe.ired  soii">  cause  of  tribulation 
would  be  tiiereb}'  engendered  detri- 
mental to  the  religious  purposes  of 
our  journey. 

'i'hi.s  sentiment  pressing  b^avi';,'  on 
our  hearts,  we  parted  from  my  f;imily 
with  many  misgivings,  and  tho  bode- 


RINGAN  GILHAIZB. 


179 


on 


merits  of  further  sorrows.  But  tlie  out- 
ward expression  of  vvliat  we  all  felt  was 
the  less  remiirkable,  on  account  of  what 
so  lately  had  before  hai)pcne<l  in  my 
brolliei's  house.  Kor  iu'V'ed  did  I 
think  .ittiie  time,  that  the  foretaste  of 
what  was  ordained  so  speedily  to  come 
to  a  heail  was  at  all  so  lively  in  his 
spirit,  or  that  of  my  son,  as  it  was  in 
mine,  till,  in  passin^r  over  tlie  tdp  of 
the  (rowan-brae,  he  looked  round  on 
the  lands  of  Quhari?t,  and  said — 

"  I  care  iiae,  Kiuiran,  if  I  ne'er 
come  back ;  for  though  we  hae  lang 
dwelt  in  affection  together  yon'er, 
thae  that  were  most  precious  to  me 
are  now  both  aneath  the  sod," — allud- 
ing to  his  wife  who  had  been  seveiiJ 
yeans  dead, — and  poor  Bell,  his 
daughter. 

"I  feel,"  said  IMichael,  "as  if  I 
■were  going  to  a  fun  ign  land,  there  is 
sic  a  farewell  sadness  upon  me." 

But  we  strove  to  oveicome  this, 
and  walked  leisurely  on  the  high  road 
towards  Kilnwirnock,  trying  to  dis- 
course of  indifferent  tilings  ;  and  as 
the  gloaming  faded,  and  the  night  be- 
gan to  look  forth,  from  her  watch- 
tower  in  the  heavens,  with  all  lier 
eyes  of  beautiful  light,  we  comnumed 
of  the  friends  that  we  trusted  were  in 
glory,  and  marvelled  if  it  could  be 
that  they  saw  us  after  death,  or  ever 
revisited  the  persons  and  the  scenes 
that  they  Icved  in  life.  Kebellion  or 
treason,  or  any  sense  of  thoughts  and 
things  tliat  were  not  i;  dy,  had  no 
jiortion  in  our  conversation  :  we  were 
going  to  celebrate  the  redemj)tion  of 
fal'en  man  ;  and  we  were  mourning  for 
friends  no  more;  our  discourse  was 
of  eternal  things,  and  the  mysteries 
of  the  stars  and  the  lights  of  that 
world  which  is  ab^ve  the  firmament. 

^^'lHn  we  reach  I  <l  Kilmarnock  we 
found  that  Jacob's  widow  lia<l, 
with  several  odier  godly  women,  set 
out  towards  the  place  of  meeting, 
to    Bojouru    with    a   relation    that 


night,  in  order  that  they  might 
bo  tlie  abler  to  gather  the  manna 
of  the  Word  in  the  morning.  Wo 
therefore  resolved  not  to  halt  there, 
but  to  go  forward  to  the  ajipoiuted 
pilacc,  and  rest  upon  the  .spot.  This 
accordingly  doing,  we  came  to  the 
eastern  side  of  Loudo"n-liil],thetrysted 
place,  tburtly  after  the  fiistscad  of  the 
dawn. 

I\lany  were  there  before  us,  both 
men  and  women  and  little  children, 
and  horses  intermingled,  some  slum- 
bering, and  some  communing  with 
one  anotiier;  and  as  the  morning 
brightened,  it  was  a  hallowed  sight  to 
behold  from  that  rising  ground  the 
blamele.'-s  persecuted  coming  with  se- 
date steps  to  worship  their  JNIaker  on 
the  mountain. 

The  Itevciend  ^Ir  Thom.is  Dou- 
gliis,  who  was  to  open  the  action,  ar- 
rived about  the  rising  of  the  sun  with 
several  other  ministers,  and  beiund 
them  four  aged  men  belonging  to 
Strathaven  bearing  the  eh  nients. 

A  j)ious  la<ly,  whose  nanie  1  never 
heard,  owing  to  what  ensued,  sjiread 
with  her  own  hands  a  damask  table- 
cloth on  the  ground,  and  the  bread 
and  wine  were  jtlaced  upon  it  with 
more  reverence  than  ever  was  in  kirk. 

Mr  Douglas  having  mounted  upon 
a  rock  nigh  to  where  this  was  done, 
was  about  to  give  out  the  psalm, 
when  we  observed  several  country 
lads,  that  were  stationed  as  watch*  is 
afar  off,  coming  with  great  ha-ste  in  ; 
and  they  broug!it  w(;rd,  that  C'lavor- 
house  and  his  dragoons  were  coming 
to  disperse  us,  bringing  with  tinni 
tiie  Beverend  Mr  King,  a  preachi  r  of 
the  gospel  at  llamiilon,  ami  others 
that  they  had  made  prisoners,  tied 
witii  cords  two  and  two. 

The  tidings  for  a  moment  caused 
jianic  and  eiiisternation  ;  luu  as  the 
men  were  armed,  and  resolved  to  re- 
sist, it  was  thought,  in  etnsideration 
of  tUo  wowcu  a.yd  childrcu,  that  wo 


ISO 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


oiifflit  to  fjo  forward,  and  prevent  ttic 
adversaries  from  advaneiii?.  Accor- 
dinf,'ly,  to  the  number  of  forty  horse- 
men, and  maybe  near  to  two  hundred 
foot,  -we  drew  ourselves  apart  from 
the  congregation,  and  marched  to 
meet  Claveriiouse,  thinking,  perhaps, 
on  seeing  us  so  numerous,  that  lie 
would  not  come  on, — while  Mr 
Douglas  proceeded  with  the  worship, 
the  piety  of  none  with  him  being  a- 
bated  by  this  grievous  visitation. 

Mr  William  Clelland,  with  ]Mr 
Hamilton,  who  had  conio  with  Mr 
Douglas,  were  our  leaders,  and  wo 
met  Claverhouse  on  the  moor  of 
Drumclog. 

The  dragoons  were  the  first  to 
halt,  and  Claverhouse,  having  ordered 
liis  prisoners  to  be  drawn  aside,  was 
the  first  who  gave  the  word  to  fire. 
This  was  without  any  parley  or  re- 
quest to  know  Avhether  we  came 
with  hostile  intent  or  no.  Clelland, 
on  seeing  the  dragoons  make  ready, 
cried  to  ns  all  to  den  ourselves  among 
the  Uvafln.r;  by  which  forethought 
tkff  aAiot  flew  harml("<fl.      Then    wr 

ted  up,  and  every  one,  wi  i  the 
St  aim  he  could,  fired  at  the  dra- 
as  they  were  loading  their 
cara^tncs.  Several  rnt-n  and  horses 
■were  killed,  and  many  wounded.  Cla- 
verhouse seeing  this,  conmianded  his 
men  to  -hargo  upon  us ;  but  the 
ground  was  rough,  the  heather  deep, 
and  the  moss  broken  where  peats  had 
been  dug.  and  the  horses  floundered, 
and  several  threw  their  riders,  and 
fell  themselves. 

We  had  now  loaded  again,  and 
the  second  fire  wa^i  more  deadly  than 
the  first.  Our  horsemen  also  seeing 
how  the  driigoons  were  scattered, 
fell  in  the  confusion  a.s  it  were  man 
for  man  upon  them.  Claverhouse 
raged  and  <-ommanded,  but  no  one 
now  could  or  would  obey.  In  that 
extremity  his  horse  was  killed,  and, 
being  thrown   down.  I  ran   forward 


to  seize  him,  if  I  could,  prisoner  ;  but 
he  still  held  his  sword  in  his  hand, 
and  rising  as  I  came  up,  used  it  man- 
fully, and  with  one  stroke  almost 
hewed  my  right  arm  from  my  shoulder. 
As  he  fled  I  attempted  for  a  moment 
to  follow,  but  staggered  and  fell.  He 
looked  back  as  he  escaped,  and  I 
cried — "  Blood  for  blood ;  "  and  it  has 
been  so,  as  I  shall  hereafter  in  tho 
sequel  relate. 

When  the  day  w.as  won,  we  found 
wo  numbered  among  the  slain  on  the 
side  of  the  vanquished  nearly  twenty 
of  the  dragoons :  on  our  side  we  lost 
but  one  man,  John  Morton — a  ripe 
saint ;  but  several  were  wounded ; 
and  John  Weir  and  William  Daniel 
died  of  their  wounds.  Such  was  tho 
day  of  Drumclog. 

Being  wounded,  I  was  carried  to  a 
neighbouring  farm,  attended  by  my 
brother  and  son,  and  there  put  upon 
a  cart  and  sent  home  to  (iuharist,  as 
it  was  thought  I  would  bo  best 
attended  there.  They  then  returned 
to  the  rest  of  the  host,  who,  seeing 
themselves  thus  brought  into  open 
war,  resolved  forthwith  to  proceed  to 
(ilasL^'ow,  and  to  raise  again  tho  ban- 
ner vi  the  Covenant. 

But  Claverhouse  having  fled  thither, 
burning  with  the  thought  of  being  so 
shorn  in  his  military  pride  by  raw 
and  undi.sciplined  countrymen,  whom, 
if  we  had  been  bred  soldiers,  maybe 
he  would  have  liotioured,  but  })eing 
what  we  were,  though  our  honour 
was  the  greater,  ho  hated  us  witii  tho 
deadly  aversion  that  is  begott(  n  of 
vanity  chastised;  for  that  it  was  which 
incited  him  to  ravage  the  West  conn- 
try  with  such  rcmorselessness,  and 
which,  when  our  men  were  next  day 
repulsed  at  (ilasgow  with  the  loss  of 
lives,  made  him  hinder  the  removal 
of  the  bodies  from  tho  streets,  till  it 
was  said  the  butchers'  dogs  began  to 
prey  upon  them. 

But  not  to  insist  on  matters  of 


PJNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


181 


hearsay,  nor  to  dwell  at  any  greater 
length  on  those  afflieting  events,  I 
must  refer  the  courteous  reader  to 
the  history  of  the  thnes  for  what 
followed,  it  being  enough  for  me  to 
state  here,  that  as  soon  as  the  news 
spread  of  the  battle  and  the  victory, 
the  persecuted  ran  flocking  in  from 
all  quarters,  by  which  tiie  rope  of 
saiRl,  that  the  Lord  permitted  Mon- 
mouth to  break  at  Bothwell-brigg, 
was  soon  formed.  My  brother  and 
my  son  were  both  there,  and  there 
my  gallant  Michael  lies.  ^ly  brother, 
then  verging  on  threescore,  being 
among  the  prisoners,  was,  after  sore 
sufferings  in  the  Greyfriars  church- 
yard of  Edinburgh,  sent  on  board  a 
vessel  as  a  bondsman  to  the  planta- 
tions in  America.  His  wrongs,  how- 
ever, were  hapjjily  soon  over  ;  for  the 
Bhip  in  which  he  was  embarked 
perished  among  the  Orkney  islands, 
and  he,  with  two  hundred  other 
sufferers,  received  the  crown  of  mar- 
tyrdom from  the  waves. 

O  Cliarles  Stuai  t,  king  of  Scotland ! 
ami  thou,  James  Sharp ! — false  and 
cruel  men.  But  ye  are  called  to  your 
account;  and  what  avails  it  now  to 
the  childless  father  to  rail  upon  your 
memory  ? 

lief  ore  proceeding  further  at  this 
present  time  with  the  doleful  tale  of 
my  own  sufferings,  it  is  required  of 
me,  as  an  impartial  historian,  to  note 
here  a  very  singular  example  of  the 
spirit  of  piety  which  reigned  in  the 
hearts  t)f  the  Covenanters,  especially 
as  1  shall  luive  to  show  tliat  such  was 
the  cruel  and  implacable  nature  of 
the  Persecutiou,  that  time  had  not 
its  wonted  iufhience  to  soften  in  any 
degree  its  rii,'our.  Tliirteen  years  had 
passed  from  the  time  of  the  Pentlaiul 
raid  ;  and  surely  the  manner  in  which 
the  cotmtry  luid  sufficed  for  that 
rising  might,  in  so  long  a  course  of 
years,  have  subdued  the  animosity 
with  which  wo  were  pursued,  espe- 


cially, as  during  the  Earl  of  Tweed- 
dale's  administration  the  bonds  of 
peace  had  been  accepted.  But  Laud- 
erdale, now  at  the  head  of  the  coun- 
cils, was  rapacious  for  money;  and 
therefore  all  offences,  if  I  may  em- 
ploy that  courtly  term,  by  vhich  otir 
endeavours  to  taste  of  the  truth  were 
designated — all  old  offences,  as  I  was 
saying,  were  renewed  against  us  as 
recent  crimes,  and  an  innocent  charity 
to  the  remains  of  those  who  had 
suffered  for  the  Pentland  raid  was 
made  a  reason,  after  the  battle  of 
Bothwell-brigg,  to  revive  the  perse- 
cution of  those  who  had  been  out  in 
that  affair. 

The  matter  particularly  referred 
to  arose  out  of  tlie  following  circum- 
stances : 

The  number  of  honest  and  pious 
men  wlio  were  executed  in  difierent 
places,  and  who  had  their  heads  and 
their  right  hands  with  which  they 
signed  tiie  Covenant  at  Lanark  cut 
off,  and  placed  on  the  gates  of  towns 
and  over  the  doors  of  tolbooths,  had 
been  very  great.  And  it  was  very 
grievous,  and  a  sore  thing  to  the 
friends  and  acquaintances  of  those 
martyrs,  when  they  went  to  Glasgow, 
or  Kilmarnock,  or  Irvine,  or  Ayr,  on 
their  farm  business,  to  tryst  or  mar- 
ket, to  see  the  remains  of  persons, 
whom  they  so  loved  and  respected  in 
life,  bleaching  in  the  winds  and  the 
rains  of  Heaven.  It  was.  indeed,  a 
matter  of  great  hcart-sadmss,  to  be- 
hold such  auimosity  carried  beyond 
the  grave;  and  few  they  wtre  who 
coidd  withstand  the  sight  of  the 
orphans  that  came  thither,  pointing 
out  to  one  another  their  fathers' 
bones,  and  weeping  as  they  did  so, 
and  vowing,  with  an  innocent  indig- 
nation, that  they  would  avenge  their 
martyrdom. 

Well  do  I  remember  the  great  sor- 
row that  arose  one  market-day  iu 
Irvine,  some  five  or  six  years  after 


182 


niNGAN  GlLHATZE. 


the  Pentland  raid,  wlien  Mrs  ^M'Coul 
camo,  with  her  four  woaiis  and  Iter 
affi'd  gudcm  )llior,  to  look  at  tlic  relics 
of  her  husband,  who  Avas  inarfyrcd 
for  Ill's  ]iarc  in  that  risinj,'.  The  bones 
AVero  Htaniiin<r,  with  those  of  another 
luarfyr  of  that  time,  on  a  shelf  which 
had  been  ])ut  up  for  tlio  purpose, 
below  the  tirst  wicket-hole  in  the 
steeple,  just  above  the  door.  Tlie 
two  women  were  very  decent  in  their 
apparel,  rather  more  so  than  the  com- 
mon country  wives.  The  gudemothcr, 
in  particular,  had  a  cast  of  fjentility 
both  in  her  look  and  <,'arments  ;  and  I 
have  heard  the  cause  of  it  expounded, 
from  her  havinfj;  been  tlie  dau<Thter  of 
one  of  the  Reformation  prcaciiers  in 
the  gospi'l-sjireadiiifr  epoch  of  John 
Knox.  Slie  had  a  crimson  satin  plaid 
over  her  head,  and  she  Avore  a  black 
silk  apron  and  a  grey  camlet  gown. 
Willi  the  one  hand  she  held  the  plaid 
close  to  her  neck,  and  the  youngest 
child,  a  las>ic  of  scA'en  years  or  so, 
had  hold  of  her  by  the  forc-ling'.T  of 
the  other. 

]\Iis  M'Coul  was  more  of  a  robust 
fabric,  and  sheAvas  without  any  plaid, 
soberly  dre?sed  in  the  Aveeds  of  a 
Avidow,  Avith  a  clean  cambric  handker- 
chief very  snodly  preened  over  her 
bre;ist.  The  children  Avere  hkewise 
beinly  apparelled,  and  the  tAvo  sons 
AVere  buirdly  and  brave  laddies,  the 
one  about  nine,  and  the  other  maybe 
eleven  years  old. 

It  Avould  seem  that  this  had  been 
the  first  of  their  pilgrimage  of  sor- 
row; for  tliey  stood  some  time  in  a 
row  at  the  foot  of  the  tolbooth  stair, 
looking  up  at  tlie  remains,  and 
Avondering,  Avith  tears  in  their  eyes, 
which  were  those  they  had  come  to 
see. 

Their  appcnrnnco  drcAV  around 
them  many  onlookers,  both  of  the 
country  folk  about  the  Cross  and  in- 
habitants of  the  town  ;  but  every  one 
cspectcd    their    sorrow,    and    none 


ventured  to  disturb  them  Avith  any 
questions,  for  all  saAV  that  they  were 
kith  and  kin  to  the  godly  men  Avho 
had  testified  to  the  truth  and  the 
Covenant  in  death. 

It  haiipencd.  however,  that  I  had 
occasion  to  pass  by,  and  Fonie  of  tlio 
tOAvn's  folk  Avho  recollected  me,  said 
Avhisperingly  to  one  anotlier,  but 
loud  enough  to  be  heard,  that  I  Avas 
one  of  the  persecuted  ;  Avhereujion 
i\Irs  M'Coul  turned  round  and  said 
to  me,  A\'itli  a  constrained  composure : 

"  Can  ye  tell  me  A\'hilk  o'  yon'.s 
the  head  and  hand  o"  John  IM'Coul, 
that  Avas  executed  for  the  covenanting 
at  Lanark  ?  " 

1  knew  the  remains  well,  for  they 
had  been  pointed  out  to  me,  and  I 
had  seen  them  very  often,  but  really 
the  sight  of  the  two  Avomen  and  the 
fatherless  bairns  so  overcame  mo, 
that  I  Avas  unable  to  answer. 

"  It's  the  head  and  tlie  hand  beside 
it,  that  has  but  twa  finger.^  left,  on 
the  Kirkgate  end  o'  the  skelf ! "  replied 
a  person  in  the  crowd,  whom  1  knew 
at  once  by  his  A'oice  to  be  Willy 
Sutherland  the  hangmm,  although  I 
had  not  seen  him  from  the  night  of 
my  evasion.  And  hero  let  me  not 
forget  to  set  down  the  Christian  Avorth 
and  constancy  of  that  simple  and 
godly  creature,  Avho,  rather  than  be 
instrumental  in  the  guilty  judgment 
by  Avhich  John  M'Coul  and  his  fel- 
low-sufTerer  Avere  doomed  to  die,  did 
himself  almost  endure  martyrdom, 
and  yet  noA'cr  swerA'ed  in  his  pur{)0se, 
nor  was  abated  in  his  integrity,  in  so 
much,  that  Avhen  questioned  there- 
after anent  the  same  by  the  Earl  of 
Kglinton,  and  iiis  lordship,  being 
moved  by  the  simph'city  of  his  piety, 
said,  "  Poor  mnn,  you  did  well  in  not 
doinix  Avhat  they  Avoidd  have  had  you 
to  do." 

'•My  Lord,"  replied  Willy,  "you 
are  speaking  treason !  and  yet  you 
persecute    to    the    uttermost,   Avhich 


RTNOAN  OILHAIZE. 


183 


sliows  tliat  you  po  against  the  liglit 
of  yrdir  consciciice." 

"  Do  you  say  so  to  mo,  after  T  kopt 
you  from  being  hanged?"  siiicl  his 
lordsliip. 

"  Keep  mo  from  being  drowned, 
nnd  1  will  still  tell  you  the  verity." 
'Jiio  which  honesty  in  that  poor  man 
begat  for  liim  a  compfirsionate  regard 
that  the  dignities  of  many  great  and 
many  nol)le  iu  that  time  could  never 
command. 

\\  hen  the  sorrowful  ^I'Couls  had 
indulged  themselves  in  their  melan- 
choly contemplation,  they  went  away, 
followed  l)y  the  multitude  with  silence 
and  sympathy,  till  they  had  mounted 
upon  the  cart  which  they  had  brought 
with  them  into  the  town.  IJut  from 
that  time  every  one  began  to  speak  of 
the  impiety  of  leaving  the  bones  so 
woefully  exposi'd  ;  and  after  the 
Bkirmish  at  Drumclog,  where  Hobin 
^I'Coul,  the  eldest  of  the  two  strip- 
lings above  spoken  of,  hapjiened  to 
be,  when  Mr  John  W  elsii,  with  the 
Carriik  men  that  went  to  Ilothwell- 
brigg,  was  sent  into  (ilasgow  to  bury 
the  heads  and  hands  of  tiie  martyrs 
there,  Hobin  M'Coul  came  witli'  a 
party  of  his  friends  to  Irvine  to  bury 
his  father's  bones.     I  was  not  myself 

f)rtsent  at  the  interment,  being,  as  I 
lave  narrated,  confined  to  my  bed  by 
reason  of  my  wound.  I?ut  I  was  told 
by  the  neighbours,  that  it  was  a  very 
solemn  and  affecting  scene.  The 
prieved  lad  carried  the  relics  of  his 
father  in  a  small  box  in  his  hands, 
covered  with  a  white  towel :  and  the 
godly  inhabitants  of  the  town,  young 
mid  old.  and  of  all  denominations,  to 
the  number  of  several  hundreds,  Al- 
lowed him  to  the  grave  where  the 
body  was  lying;  and  Will}'  v^uther- 
laml.  moved  by  a  simple  sorrow,  was 
the  last  of  all ;  and  he  walked,  as  I 
was  told,  alone.  beliin<l.  with  his 
bonnet  in  his  hand;  for,  from  his 
calling,  he  counted  himself  not  on  an 


erpiality  with  other  men.  Rut  it  is 
time  that  I  shoidd  return  from  this 
digression  to  the  main  account  of  my 
narrative. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

Being  wounded,  as  I  have  rehearsed, 
at  Drumclog,  and  carried  to  my  own 
house,  Sarah  Lochrig,  while  she 
grieved  with  a  mother's  grief  for  the 
loss  of  our  first-born  an<i  the  mourn- 
ful fate  of  my  honest  brother,  ad- 
vanced my  cure  more  by  her  loving 
ministrations  to  my  aching  miind, 
than  by  the  medicaments  that  were 
applieil  to  the  bodily  wound,  in  so 
much  that  something  like  a  dawn  of 
comfort  was  vouchsafed  to  me. 

Our  parish  was  singularly  allowed 
to  remain  unmolested  when,  .after  the 
woeful  day  of  Bothwell-brigg,  Claver- 
house  came  to  ravage  the  shire  of 
Ayr.  and  to  take  revenge  for  the  dis- 
comfiture which  he  had  suffered,  in 
his  endeavour  to  disturb  the  worship 
and  s.^crament  at  Loudon-hill.  Still, 
however,  at  times  clouds  overcame 
my  spirit  ;  and  one  night  my  daughter 
Margaret  had  a  remarkable  dream, 
which  taught  us  to  expect  some  par- 
ticular visitation. 

It  was  surely  a  mysterious  reserva- 
tion for  the  greater  calamity  -which 
ensued,  that  while  the  vial  of  wrath 
was  pouring  out  around  us,  my  house 
should  have  been  allowed  to  rcatiain 
so  unmolested.  Often  indeed,  when 
in  our  nightly  worship  I  returned 
thanks  for  a  blessing  so  wonderful  in 
that  time  of  general  woe,  has  a  strange 
fear  fallen  upon  me.  and  I  have 
trembled  in  tlionglit,  as  if  the  thing 
for  which  I  sent  up  the  incense  of  my 
thanks  to  Heaven,  was  a  device  of  the 
Enemy  of  man,  to  make  me  think 
myself  more  deserving  of  favour  than 
the  thousands  of  covenanted  brethren 


184 


RINGAN  r.ILHAIZE. 


who  theu,  in  Scotland,  were  drinking 
of  the  bitterness  of  the  suffering.  I5ut 
in  proportion  us  I  was  then  spared, 
the  heavier  afterwards  was  my  trial. 

Among  the  prisoners  taken  at  IJotii- 
well-brigg  were  many  persons  from 
our  parish  and  neighbourhood,  who, 
after  their  unheard  -  of  sufferings 
among  the  tombs  and  graves  of  the 
Greyfriars  church-yard  at  Edinburgli, 
were  allowed  to  return  home.  Though 
in  this  there  was  a  show  of  clemency, 
it  was  yet  but  a  more  subtle  method 
of  the  tyranny  to  reach  new  victims. 
For  those  honest  men  were  not  long 
home  till  grievous  circuit-courts  were 
Bet  agoing,  to  bring  to  trial  not  only 
all  those  who  were  at  Bothwell,  or 
approved  of  that  rising,  but  likewise 
those  who  had  been  at  the  Pcntland 
raid ;  and  the  better  to  ensure  con- 
demnation and  punishment,  sixteen 
persons  were  cited  from  every  parish 
to  bear  witness  as  to  who,  among 
their  neighbours,  had  been  out  at 
Bothwell,  or  had  harboured  any  of 
those  who  were  there.  The  wicked 
curates  made  themselves,  in  this 
grievous  matter,  engines  of  espionage, 
by  giving  in  the  names  of  those,  their 
parishioners,  whom  they  knew  could 
bear  the  best  testimony. 

Thus  it  was,  that  many  who  had 
escaped  from  the  slaughter — from  the 
horrors  of  the  Greyfriars  church -yard 
— and  from  the  drowning  in  the  Ork- 
neys,— and,  like  myself,  had  resumed 
their  quiet  country  labour,  were 
marked  out  for  destruction.  For  the 
witnesocs  cited  to  Ayr  against  us  were 
persons  who  had  been  released  from 
the  Greyfriars  church-yard,  as  I  have 
said,  aud  who,  being  honest  men, 
could  not  when  put  to  their  oaths^  but 
bear  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  matters 
charged  against  us.  And  nothing 
surely  could  better  show  the  devilish 
spirit  with  which  those  in  authority 
were  at  that  time  actuated,  nor  the 
unchristian    nature  of    the   prelacy, 


than  that  the  prisoners  siiould  thus 
have  been  set  free  to  be  made  tlio 
accusers  of  their  neiglibours  ;  and 
that  tlio  curates,  men  i)rofess- 
ing  to  be  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
should  have  been  such  fit  instruments 
for  such  uniieard-of  machinations. 
But  to  hasten  forward  to  the  fate  and 
issue  of  thib  solf-consuining  tyranny, 
I  shall  leave  all  generalities,  aud  pro- 
ceed with  the  events  of  my  own  case  ; 
and,  in  doing  so,  I  shall  endeavour 
what  is  in  mo  to  inscribe  the  par- 
ticulars with  a  steady  hand  ;  for  I  daro 
no  longer  now  trust  myself  with  look- 
ing to  the  right  or  to  the  left  of  tho 
field  of  my  matter.  I  shall,  however, 
try  to  narrate  things  just  as  they 
happened,  leaving  the  courteous  reader 
to  judge  what  passed  at  the  time  in 
the  suffocating  tiirobs  wherewith  my 
heart  was  then  affected. 

It  was  tho  last  day  of  February, 
of  the  year  following  Bothwell-brigg, 
that,  in  consequence  of  these  subtle 
and  wicked  devices,  I  was  taken  up. 
I  had,  from  my  wound,  been  in  au 
ailing  state  for  many  months,  and 
could  then  do  little  in  the  field  ;  but 
the  weather  for  the  season  was  mild, 
and  I  had  walked  out  in  the  tran- 
quillity of  a  sunny  afternoon  to  give 
my  son  Joseph  some  instructions  in 
the  method  of  ploughing  ;  for,  though 
he  was  then  but  in  his  thirteenth  year, 
he  was  a  by-common  stripling  in 
capacity  and  sense.  He  was  indeed  a 
goodly  plant ;  and  I  had  hoped,  in 
my  old  ago,  to  have  sat  beneath  tho 
shelter  of  his  branches ;  but  the  axe 
of  the  feller,  was  untimely  laid  to  the 
root,  and  it  was  too  soon,  with  all  the 
blossoms  of  the  fairest  promise,  cast 
down  into  the  dust.  But  my  now  task 
is  of  vengeance  and  justice,  not  of 
sorrowing,  and  I  must  more  sternly 
grasp  the  iron  pen. 

A  party  of  soldiers,  who  had  been 
that  afternoon  sent  out  to  bring  in 
certain  persons  (among  Avhom  I  was 


KINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


185 


one)  ill  a  list  iiialigiiaiitly  transmitted 
to  the  Archbishop  of  Glasgow,  by- 
Andrew  Dornoch,  tlio  prolatic  usurper 
of  our  ministers  place,  as  I  was 
leaviu),'  the  field  where  my  son  was 
ploui,'iiinj,',  saw  nie  from  the  road,  and 
ordered  me  to  halt  till  they  came  up, 
or  they  would  fire  at  me. 

It  would  have  been  unavailing  of 
mo,  in  the  state  I  tiien  was,  to  liave 
attempted  to  flee,  so  I  halted ;  and, 
after  tome  entreaty  with  the  soldiers, 
got  permission  from  tiiem  to  ha/o  my 
liorse  and  cart  yoked,  as  1  was  not 
very  well,  and  so  to  be  carried  to  Ayr. 
And  hero  I  should  note  down  tliat, 
altliougii  there  was  in  general  a  coarse 
spirit  among  tlie  King's  forces,  yet  in 
tliese  men  there  was  a  touch  of  com- 
mon humanity.  This  was  no  doubt 
partly  owing  to  their  having  been  some 
months  quartered  in  Irvine,  wliero 
tiiey  became  naturally  softened  by 
the  friendly  spirit  of  the  place.  It 
was  not.  however,  ordained  that  men 
so  merciful  should  be  permitted  to 
remain  long  there. 

As  it  was  an  understood  thing  that 
tlie  object  of  the  trials  to  which  tiie 
Covenanters  were  in  this  manner  sub- 
jected was  chiefly  to  raise  money  and 
forfeitures  for  the  rapacious  Duke  of 
Lauderdale,  then  in  the  rule  and 
j)Ower  of  tlie  council  at  Edinburgh, 
my  being  corried  away  prisoner  to 
Ayr  awakened  less  grief  and  conster- 
nation in  my  family  than  might  have 
been  exjiected  from  the  e\eut. 
'J'hrougii  ihe  humane  permission  of 
my  guard,  ''aviu ;r  a  little  titne  to  con- 
fer with  Si.r.il:  '^oclirig  before  going 
away,  it  was  settled  between  us  that 
she  should  gather  together  what 
money  she  could  ])rccure,  either  by 
loan  or  by  selling  our  corn  and  cattle, 
in  order  to  provide  for  the  [)ayment 
of  the  fine  that  we  countetl  would  be 
laid  upon  us.  I  was  then  taken  to 
the  tolbooth  of  Ayr,  where  many 
other  covcuauted  brethren  were  lying 


to  await  tlio  proceedings  of  tho 
circuit-court,  which  was  to  be  opened 
by  the  Lord  Kelburne  from  Glasgow, 
on  tlie  second  day  after  I  had  been 
carried  thither. 

Among  the  prisoners  were  several 
who  knew  me  well,  and  who  con- 
doled as  Christians  with  me  for  tho 
loss  1  had  sustained  at  IJothwell;  so, 
but  for  tho  denial  of  the  fresh  and 
heavenly  air,  and  the  freedom  of  tho 
fields,  the  time  of  our  captivity  might 
have  been  a  season  of  mucli  solace  ; 
for  they  were  all  devout  men,  and  tho 
tolbooth,  instead  of  resounding  with 
the  imprecations  of  malefactors,  be- 
came melodious  with  tiie  voice  of 
psalms  and  of  holy  communion,  and 
the  sweet  intercounse  of  spirits  that 
delighted  in  one  anotiier  for  tiie  con- 
stancy with  which  they  had  boruo 
their  testimony. 

When  the  Lord  Kelburne  arrived, 
on  the  first  day  that  the  court  opened, 
1  was  summoned  to  respond  to  tho 
offences  laid  to  my  charge,  if  any 
charge  of  offence  it  may  be  called, 
wherein  tho  purpose  of  the  court  was 
seemingly  to  search  out  opinions  that 
migiit  serve  as  matter  to  justify  the 
infliction  of  the  fines — the  whole  end 
and  intent  of  those  circuits  not  being 
to  award  justice,  but  to  find  tho 
means  of  extorting  money.  In  .some 
respects,  however,  I  was  more  merci- 
fully dealt  by  than  many  of  my 
fellow-sufferers  ;  but  in  order  to  show 
how,  even  in  my  case,  the  laws  were 
jHTverted,  I  will  here  set  down  a 
brief  record  of  my  examination  or 
trial,  as  it  was  called. 

The  council-room  was  full  of 
people  when  I  was  taken  thither,  and 
the  Lord  Kelburne,  who  sat  at  the 
head  of  the  table,  was  abetted  in  the 
proceedings  by  INlurray,  an  advocate 
from  Edinburgh.  They  were  sitting 
at  a  wide  round  table,  within  a  fence 
which  prevented  the  spectators  from 
pressing  in  upon  them.    There  were 


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Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WtiT  MAIN  STRBIT 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


4^      ^1^ 


186 


RING  AN  GiLHAtZE 


many  papers  and  letters  folded  up  in 
bundles  lying  before  them,  and  a 
candle  burning,  and  wax  for  sigilla- 
tion.  Besides  Lord  Kelburne  and  liis 
counsellor,  there  were  divers  gentle- 
men seated  at  tlio  table,  and  two 
clerks  to  inake  notations. 

Lord  Kelburne,  in  his  appearance, 
Avas  a  mild -looking  man,  and  for  his 
years  his  hnir  was  very  hoary ;  for 
though  he  was  seemingly  not  passing 
fifty,  it  was  in  a  manner  quite 
blanched.  In  speech  he  was  mode- 
rate, in  disposition  indulgent,  and 
verily  towards  mo  he  acted  in  his 
harsh  duty  with  much  gentleness. 

But  Murray  had  a  doure  aspect  for 
his  years,  and  there  was  a  smile  among 
his  features  not  pleasant  to  behold, 
breeding  rather  distrust  and  dread, 
than  winning  confidence  or  affection, 
which  are  the  natural  fruit  of  a 
ccur^enanoo  rightly  gladdened.  lie 
looked  at  me  from  aneath  his  blows 
as  if  1  had  been  a  malefattor,  and 
turning  to  the  Lord  Kelburne,  said — 

"  lie  has  the  true  fanatical  yellow 
look." 

This  was  a  base  obseive ;  for  natu- 
rally I  was  of  a  fresh  complexion,  but 
my  long  illness,  and  the  close  air  of 
the  prison,  had  made  me  pale. 

After  some  more  impertinences  of 
that  sort,  he  then  said — 

"  llingan  (iilhaize,  you  were  at  the 
battle  of  Bothwell-brigg." 

"I  was  not,"  said  I. 

"You  do  not  mean  to  say  so. 
surely?" 

"  I  have  said  it,"  was  my  answer. 

Whereupon  one  of  the  clerks 
whispered  to  him  that  there  were 
three  of  the  name  in  the  list. 

•'O!"  cried  he,  "I  crave  your 
pardon,  Riiigan,  there  are  several 
persona  of  your  name ;  and  though 
you  were  not  at  Bothwell  yourself, 
maybe  ye  ken  those  of  your  name  who 
were  there, — Do  you?" 

"I  did  know  two,"  was  my  calm 


answer;  "one  was  my  brother,  and 
the  other  my  son." 

All  present  remained  very  silent  as 
I  made  this  answer  ;  and  the  Lord 
Kelburne  bending  forward,  leant  his 
cheek  on  his  hand  as  he  rested  his 
elbow  on  the  table,  and  h)()ke.i  very 
earnestly  at  me.  Murray  resinned — 
"And  pray  now,  lliii<ran,  tell  us 
whet  has  become  of  the  two  rebels?  " 
"'J'hey  were  covenanted  Chris- 
tians," said  I;  "my  son  lies  buried 
with  those  that  were  slain  on  that  sore 
occasion." 

"But  your  brother;    ho  was   of 
course  younger  than  you  ?  " 
"No  ;  he  was  older." 
"  AVell,  well,  no  matter  as  to  that ; 
but  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  I  believe  he  is  with  his  IMaker  ; 
but  his  body  lies  among  the  rocks  at 
the  bottom  of  the  Orkney  seas.*' 

The  steadiness  of  the  Lonl  Kel- 
burne's countenance sadilened  into  tlio 
look  of  compassion,  aijd  he  said  to 
Murray — 

"  Tliere  is  no  use  in  asking  liini  ;iny 
more  questions  about  them,  proecL'd 
with  the  ordinary  interroj.ratorie.-'." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  sati-fiiction 
towards  his  Lordship  at  this ;  and 
Murray  said — 

"  And  so  you  say  tliat  those  in  the 
late  rebellion  at  Bothwell  were  not 
rebels?" 

"  I  said,  sir,  that  my  son  and  my 
brother  were  covenanted  Christians." 
This  I  delivered  with  a  firm  voice, 
which  seemed  to  produce  some  effeel 
on  the  Lord  Kelburne,  who  threw 
himself  back  in  his  chair,  and  crossing 
his  arms  over  his  breast,  looked  still 
more  eagerly  towards  me. 

"  Do  you  niuan  tiien  to  deny/'  said 
Murniy,  "that  tlic  late  rebeJion  was 
not  a  rebellion?" 

"  It  would  be  hard,  sir,  to  say  what 
it  was ;  for  the  causes  thereto  leading," 
replied  I,  "were  jirovocations  con- 
cerning things  of  God,  and  to  those 


wh( 

the' 

ite; 

wer 

don 

fane 

was 


l?lKfiAN  GILHAIZE. 


187 


vlio  wore  for  Ihut  rejison  religiously 
tliiri',  I  (io  not  tliiiik,  in  a.  rijrht  sense, 
it  can  1)0  cilkd  rebellion.  'I'liosc  who 
weiv  tliere  for  carnal  niotives,  .and  I 
doubt  not  tliore  wore  many  such,  I 
fancy  every  honest  nian  may  say  it 
■WHS  with  them  rebellion." 

"  1  must  deal  more  closely  with 
liim."  said  Murnay  to  his  Lord^hip•, 
but  his  Lordship,  before  allowing  him 
to  jiut  any  more  questions,  said  him- 
self to  me — 

"  Hut  you  know,  testate  the  thing 
plaiidy,  that  the  misguided  people  who 
were  at  liothwell,  had  banded  them- 
selves against  the  laws  of  the  realm, 
■whether  from  religious  or  carnal  mo- 
tives is  not  the  business  we  are  liere 
to  sift,  that  point  is  necessarily  remit- 
ted to  God  and  tlieir  consciences." 

Murray  added,  "It  is  most  un- 
reasonable to  suppose,  that  every 
subject  is  free  to  determine  of  Avhat 
is  lawful  to  be  (beyed.  The  thougiit 
is  ridiculous.  It  would  destroy  the 
end  of  all  lavvs  which  are  for  the 
advantage  of  commuinties,  and  which 
fifieak  the  seii.sc  of  the  generality, 
touching  the  matter  and  things  to 
■which  they  refer." 

"  My  Lord,"  said  I,  addressing 
myself  to  Lord  Kelburne,  "  it  surely 
■will  ne'er  be  denied,  that  every  sub- 
ject is  free  to  exercise  his  discretion 
■\vith  respek  to  his  ain  conduct;  and 
your  Lordship  kens  vera  weel,  that  it 
is  the  duty  of  subjects  to  know  the  laws 
of  the  land  ;  and  your  Lordship  like- 
wise knows,  that  God  has  given  laws  to 
nil  rulers  as  well  jis  subjects,  and  both 
may  and  ought  to  know  His  laws. 
Kow  if  I,  knowing  both  the  laws  of 
God  and  the  laws  of  the  land,  find 
the  one  contrary  to  the  other,  un- 
doubtedly God's  laws  ought  to  hae 
the  preference  in  my  obedience." 

His  Lordship  looked  somewhat 
satisfied  with  this  answer;  but  Mur- 
ray said  to  him — 

*'  I  will  pose  him     '^h  this  ques- 


tion. If  preflbyterian  government 
■were  established,  as  it  was  in  the  year 
Ifi^H,  and  some  ministers  were  not 
free  to  comply  v  .h  it,  and  a  law 
were  made  that  none  should  liear 
them  out  o'  doors,  would  ydu  jiulge 
it  reasonable  that  such  ministers  or 
their  people  should  be  at  liberty  to 
act  in  contempt  of  that  law." 

And  he  looked  mightily  content 
with  himself  for  this  subtlety;  but  I 
said — 

"  Really,  sir,  T  canna  see  a  reason 
why  hearkening  to  a  preaching  in  the 
fields  should  be  a  greater  guilt  than 
doing  the  same  thing  indoors." 

"  If  I  were  of  your  principles," 
said  the  advocate,  "and  thought  in 
my  conscience  that  the  laws  of  the 
land  were  contrary  to  the  laws  of 
God,  and  that  I  could  not  conform  to 
them,  I  would  judge  it  my  duty  rather 
to  go  out  of  the  nation  and  live  else- 
where, than  disturb  the  peace  of  the 
land." 

"  That  were  to  suppose  two 
things,"  said  I ;  "first,  that  rulers 
n.ay  make  laws  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  God,  and  when  such  laws  are  cnce 
made,  they  ought  to  be  submitted  to. 
Hut  I  think,  sir,  that  ruhrs  being 
under  the  law  of  God  act  wickedly, 
and  in  rebellion  to  Ilim,  when  they 
make  enactments  contrary  to  11  is  de- 
clared will ;  and  surely  it  can  ne'er 
be  required  that  ■we  should  allow 
wickedness  to  be  done." 

"  I  am  not  sure,"  said  Murray  to 
his  Lordship,  "  that  I  do  right  in 
continuing  this  irrelevant  conversa- 
tion." 

"  I  am  interested  in  the  honest 
man's  defence,"  replied  Lord  Kel- 
burne, "  and  as  'tis  in  a  matter  of  con- 
selence,  let  us   hear  what  makes  it 

80." 

" 'Well,  tlien."  resumed  the  advo- 
cate, "  what  can  you  say  to  the 
barbarous  murder  of  Archbishop 
Sharp? — You  will  not  contend  that 


188 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


murder  is  not  contrary  to  tho  law  of 
God  ?  " 

"I  ne'er  contended,"  said  I,  "that 
any  sin  was  permitted  by  tho  law  of 
God— fivr  less  murder,  wliich  is  ex- 
pressly forbidden  in  the  Ten  Com- 
mands." 

"  Then  yc  acknowledge  the  murder 
of  the  Archbishop  to  havo  been 
murder." 

"  That's  between  those  that  did  it 
and  God." 

"  Hooly,  hooly,  friend!"  cried 
Murray;  "that,  liingan,  winna  do; 
was  it  or  was  it  not  murder." 

"  Can  I  tell,  who  was  not  there?" 

"  Then  to  satisfy  your  conscience 
on  that  score,  Ilingan,  I  would  .ask 
you,  if  a  gang  of  rutiiaus  slay  a  de- 
fenceless mau,  do  or  do  they  not 
commit  murder  ?  " 

*'  I  can  easily  answer  that." 

Lord  Kelburne  again  bent  eagerly 
forward,  and  rested  his  chctk  again 
on  his  hand,  placing  liis  elbow  on  the 
table,  wliile  I  continued — 

"  A  gang  of  ruffians  coming  in 
wantonness,  or  for  plunder,  upon  a 
defenceless  man,  and  putting  him  to 
death,  there  can  be  no  doubt  is  mur- 
der; but  it  has  not  yet  been  called 
murder  to  kill  an  enemy  in  battle ; 
and  tliorefore,  if  the  captain  of  a  host 
go  to  war  without  arms,  and  thereby 
be  defenceless,  it  cannot  be  said  that 
those  of  the  adverse  party,  v.  ho 
may  liappcn  to  slay  him,  do  any 
murder." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  justify  the  man- 
ner of  the  death  of  the  Archbishop  ?  " 
exclaimed  the  advocati',  starting  back, 
and  spreading  out  his  arms  in  wonder- 
ment. 

"  'Deed  no,  sir,"  replied  I,  a  little 
nettVed  at  the  construction  ho  would 
put  upon  what  I  said;  "but  I  will 
say,  even  here,  what  Sir  Davie 
Lindsay  o'  tiio  Mount  said  on  the 
sin)ilar  event  o'  Cardinal  Beaton's 
death— 


'  As  for  this  Cartflnal,  I  graut 

IIo  was  tho  iiiau  wo  iniglit  well  want ; 

Goii  will  forgive  it  sr  ja: 
But  of  a  truth,  tlio  sootli  to  say. 
Although  tho  loon  bo  well  away, 

Tho  fact  was  foully  done.' " 

There  was  a  rustle  of  gratification 
among  all  in  the  court  as  I  said  tho 
rhyme,  and  Lord  Kelburne  smiled; 
but  Alurray,  somewhat  out  of  humour, 
said — 

"I  fancy,  my  Lord,  we  must 
consider  this  as  an  admission  that 
the  killing  of  the  Archbishop  was 
murder  ?  " 

*'  I  fear,"  said  his  Lordship,  "  that 
neither  of  the  two  questions  have  been 
so  directly  put  as  to  justify  me  to 
pronounce  any  decision,  though  I  am 
willing  to  put  the  most  favourable 
construction  on  what  has  passed." 
And  then  his  Lordship,  looking  to 
me,  added — 

"  Do  you  consider  the  late  re- 
bellion, being  contrary  to  the  King's 
authority,  rebellion  ?  " 

"Contrary  to  the  King's  right 
authority,"  replied  I,  "  it  was  not 
rebellion,  but  contrary  to  an  authority, 
beyond  the  right,  taken  by  him,  de- 
spite the  law  of  God,  it  was  rebellion," 

"  Wherefore, honest man,"rejoined 
his  Lordship  kindly,  "would  you 
make  a  distinction  that  may  bring 
harm  on  your  own  head  ?  Ls  not  tho 
King's  authority  instituted  by  law 
and  prerogative,  and  knowing  that, 
cannot  yc  say,  that  those  who  rise  in 
arms  against  it  are  rebels?  " 

"  My  Lord,"  said  I,  "  you  have  my 
answer ;  for  in  truth  aiid  in  conscienco 
I  can  give  none  other." 

There  was  a  pause  for  a  sliort 
sp.ace,  and  one  of  the  clerks  looking 
to  I  ord  Kelburne,  his  Lordship  said, 
with  a  plain  reluctance,  "It  must 
even  bo  so ;  write  down  that  he  is 
not  clear  the  late  rebellion  should  bo 
called  a  rebellion ; "  and  casting  his 
I  eyes   eutreatingly   towards   me,   ho 


RINGAN  GILTIAIZE, 


189 


re- 


added — "  But  I  t'ink  you  acknow- 
ledge that  the  assassination  of  Ai'ch- 
bishop  Sharp  was  a  murder  ?  " 

"  My  Lord,"  said  I,  "  your  ques- 
tions are  propounded  as  tests,  and 
therefore,  as  an  honest  man,  I  cannot 
suffer  that  my  answers  should  be 
scant,  lest  I  might  be  thought  to 
waver  in  faith  and  was  backward  in 
my  testimony.  No,  my  Lord,  I  will 
not  call  the  killing  of  Sharp  murder ; 
for,  on  my  conscience,  I  do  verily 
think  he  deserved  the  death :  First, 
because  of  his  apostacy ;  second,  be- 
cause of  the  laws  of  which  he  was  the 
instigator,  whereby  the  laws  of  God 
have  been  contravened ;  and,  third, 
for  the  woes  that  those  laws  have 
brought  upon  the  land,  the  which 
stirred  the  hearts  of  the  people  against 
him.  Above  all,  I  think  his  death 
was  no  murder,  because  he  was  so 
strong  in  his  legalities,  that  he  could 
not  be  brought  to  punishment  by 
those  to  whom  he  had  caused  the 
greatest  wrong ; "  and  I  thought,  in 
saying  these  words,  of  my  brother's 
daughter — of  his  own  sad  death  in 
the  stormy  seas  of  the  Orkneys — and 
of  my  brave  and  gallant  Michael, 
that  was  lying  in  his  shroudless  grave 
in  the  cold  clay  of  Hothwell. 

Lord  Kelburne  was  troubled  at  my 
answer,  and  was  about  to  remonstrate; 
but  seeing  the  tear  start  into  my  eye 
as  those  things  came  into  my  mind, 
he  said  nothing,  but  nodding  to  tlie 
clerk,  he  bade  him  write  down  tliat  I 
would  not  acknowledge  the  killing  of 
the  Archbishop  a  murder,  lio^  then 
rose  and  adjourned  the  court,  re- 
manding mo  to  prison,  saying  that  he 
would  send  mo  word  what  would  be 
the  extent  of  my  punishment. 

The  same  night  it  was  intimated  to 
me  that  I  was  fined  in  five  hundred 
marks,  and  tliat  bonds  were  required 
to  be  given  for  the  payment;  upon 
the  granting  of  which,  in  considera- 
tion of  my  ill  health,  the  Lord  Kel- 


burne had  consented  I  should  be  set 
free. 

Tiiis  wfis,  in  many  respects,  a  more 
lenient  sentence  tlian  I  had  expected; 
and  in  the  hope  that  periiaps  Sarah 
Lochrig  might  have  been  able  to  pro- 
vide the  money,  so  as  to  render  the 
grantingof  thebondsandtheprocuring 
of  cautioners  unnecessary,  I  sent  over 
a  man  on  horseback  to  tell  her  the 
news,  and  the  man  in  returning 
brought  my  son  Joseph  behind  him, 
sent  by  his  snother  to  urge  me  to  give 
the  bonds  at  once,  as  she  had  not 
been  able  to  raise  so  much  money; 
and  the  more  to  incitj  me,  if  there 
iiad  been  need  for  incitement,  she  had 
willed  Joseph  to  tell  me  tiiat  a  party 
of  Ciaverhouse's  dragoons  had  been 
quartered  on  tiie  house  that  morning, 
to  live  there  till  the  fine  was  paid. 

Of  the  character  of  those  freeboot- 
ers I  needed  no  certificate.  They  had 
filled  every  other  place  wherever  they 
had  been  qurrtered  with  sham'  and 
never-ceasing  sorrow,  and  therefore  I 
was  indeed  roused  to  hear  that  my 
defenceless  daughters  were  in  their 
power,  so  I  lost  no  time  in  sending 
iny  son  to  entreat  two  of  his  mother's 
relations,  wlio  were  bein  merchants 
in  Ayr,  to  join  me  in  the  bond — a 
thing  which  they  did  in  the  most  com- 
passionate manner,  and,  the  better  to 
expedite  the  business,  I  got  it  to  be 
permitted  by  the  Lord  Kelburne  that 
the  bonds  should  be  sent  the  same  day 
to  Irvine,  where  I  hoped  to  be  able 
next  morning  to  discharge  them.  All 
this  was  happily  concerted  and  brought 
to  a  pleasant  issue  before  sunset,  at 
which  time  I  wfvs  discharged  from  the 
t.olbooth,  carrying  with  me  many  pious 
wislies  from  those  who  were  there, 
and  who  had  not  been  so  gently  dealt 
by. 

It  was  my  intent  to  have  proceeded 
home  the  same  night,  but  my  son  was 
very  tired  with  the  many  errands  ho 
had  mn  that  day,  and  by  his  long 


190 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


ride  in  the  morning  ;  moreover,  I  was 
myself  in  need  of  repose,  for  my 
anxiety  bad  brought  on  a  disturbaiici' 
in  my  blood,  and  my  limbs  shock, 
and  I  was  altogether  nnable  to  under- 
take any  journey.  I  was  therefore  too 
easily  entreated  of  Archibald  Lochrig, 
n)y  wifi's  cousin,  and  one  of  my 
cautioners,  to  stop  in  his  liouse  that 
evening.  But  next  morning,  being 
much  refresiied  with  a  pleasant  sleep 
and  the  fallacious  cheering  of  happy 
dreams,  I  left  Ayr,  with  my  son,  be- 
fore the  break  of  day,  and  we  travelled 
with  light  feet,  for  our  hearts  were 
lifted  up  with  hope. 

Though  my  youth  was  long  past, 
and  many  things  had  happened  to 
sadden  my  s]iirit,  I  yet  felt  on  that 
occasion  an  unaccon?i tabic  sense  of 
kindlini'SS  and  joy.  The  flame  of  life 
was  as  it  were  renewed,  and  brightened 
in  the  pure  and  breezy  air  of  the 
morning,  and  a  bounding  gladness 
rose  in  my  bosom  as  my  eye  expatiated 
around  in  the  freedom  of  the  spacious 
fields.  On  the  left-hand  the  living 
sea  seemed  as  if  the  pulses  of  its 
moving  waters  were  in  unison  with 
the  throbbings  of  my  spirit ;  and,  like 
jocund  maidens  disporting  themselves 
in  the  flowing  tide,  the  gentle  waves, 
lifting  their  heads,  and  spreading  out 
their  arms  and  raising  their  white 
bosoms  to  the  rising  sun,  came  as  it 
were  happily  to  the  smooth  sands  of 
the  sparkling  shore.  Tho  grace  of 
enjoyment  brightened  and  blithened 
all  things.  There  was  a  cheerfulness 
in  the  songs  of  the  little  birds  that 
enchanted  the  young  1  eart  of  my 
blooming  boy  to  break  lorth  into 
singing,  and  his  carol  was  gayer  tiian 
the  melody  of  tho  lark.  But  that 
morning  was  tho  last  time  that  either 
Oi  us  could  ever  after  know  pleasure 
any  more  in  this  world. 

Eager  to  be  home,  and  that  I  might 
share  with  Sarah  Lochrig  and  our 
children  the  joy  of  thankfulness  for 


my  deliverance,  I  had  resolved  to 
call,  in  passing  through  Irvine,  at 
the  clerk's  chamber,  to  inquire  if  tho 
bonds  had  been  sent  fiom  Ayr,  that 
my  cautioners  might  be  as  soon  as 
possible  discharged.  But  wo  had 
been  so  early  a  foot  that  we  reached 
the  town  while  tho  inhabitants  were 
yet  all  asleep,  so  tiiat  we  thought  it 
would  be  as  well  to  go  straight  home; 
and  accordingly  we  passed  down  the 
gait  and  through  tho  town-end  port 
without  seeing  any  person  in  the 
street,  save  only  the  town-herd,  as  he 
was  going  with  his  horn  to  sound  for 
the  cows  to  bo  sent  out  to  go  with 
him  to  the  moor. 

Tho  sight  of  a  town  in  the  peaceful- 
ness  of  the  morning  slumbers,  and  of 
a  simple  man  going  forth  to  lead  the 
quiet  cattle  to  jia>ture,  filled  my  mind 
with  softer  thoughts  than  1  had  long 
known,  and  I  said  to  my  son — 

"Surely  those  who  would  molest 
the  peace  of  the  poor  hae  ne'er  rightly 
tasted  the  blessing  of  beholding  tho 
confidence  with  which  they  tt  ist 
themselves  in  the  watches  of  the  night 
and  amidst  the  perils  of  their  barren 
lot."  And  I  felt  my  heart  thaw  again 
into  charity  with  all  men,  and  I  was 
thankful  for  the  delight. 

As  I  was  thus  tiisting  again  the 
luxury  of  gentle  thoughts,  a  band  of 
five  dragoons  came  along  the  road, 
and  Joseph  said  to  me  that  they  were 
the  same  who  had  been  quartered  in 
our  house.  I  looked  at  them  as  they 
passed  by,  but  they  turned  their  heads 
aside. 

"I  wonder,"  said  my  son,  "that 
they  did  na  speak  to  me :  I  thought 
they  had  a  black  look." 

"No  doubt,  Joseph,"  was  my 
answer,  "  tho  men  are  no  lost  to  a' 
sense  of  shame.  They  canna  but  bo 
rebuked  at  the  sight  of  a  man  that, 
maybe  against  their  will,  poor  fellows, 
they  were  sent  tc  oppress.'' 

*'  I  dinna  like  them  the  day,  father, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZB. 


101 


they're  unco  like  ill-doers,"  said  the 
thoughtful  end  observing  stripling. 

lint  my  spirit  was  .at  the  time  full 
of  goodwill  towards  all  men,  and  I 
reasoned  with  him  against  giving  way 
to  unkind  thoughts,  expounding,  to 
the  best  of  my  a')ility,  the  nature  of 
gospel-charity,  and  the  heavenliuess 
of  good-will,  saying  to  him — 

"  The  nature  of  charity's  like  the 
light  o*  the  sun,  by  which  all  things 
are  cherished.  It  is  the  brightness  of 
the  soul,  nnd  the  glorious  quality 
•which  provi  our  celestial  descent. 
Our  other  feoi  ga  are  common  to  a' 
creatures,  but  l  le  feeling  of  charity 
is  divine.  It's  the  only  thing  in 
which  man  partakes  of  the  nature  of 
God." 

Discoursing  in  this  scriptural  man- 
ner, we  reached  the  (iowan-brao.  My 
heart  beat  high  with  gladness.  My 
6on  bounded  forward  to  tell  his 
mother  and  sisters  of  my  coming. 
On  gaining  the  brow  of  the  hill  he 
leapt  from  the  ground  with  a  fnantic 
cry  and  clasped  hia  hands.  I  ran  to- 
wards him — but  I  remember  no  more 
— though  at  times  something  crosses 
my  mind,  and  I  have  wild  visions  of 
roofless  walls,  and  a  crowd  of  weep- 
ing women  and  silent  men  digging 
among  ashes,  and  a  beautiful  body, 
all  dripping  wet,  brought  on  a  deal 
from  the  mill-dam,  and  of  men,  as  it 
was  carried  by,  seizing  me  by  the  arms 
and  tying  my  hands — and  then  I 
fancy  myself  in  a  house  fastened  to 
a  chair; — and  sometimes  I  think  I 
was  lifted  out  and  place  I  to  beak  in 
the  sun  and  to  taste  the  fresh  air. 
But  what  tiiese  things  import  I  dare 
only  guess,  for  no  one  has  ever 
told  me  what  became  of  my  benign 
Sarah  Lochrig  and  our  two  blooming 
daughters ; — all  is  phantasma  that  I 
recollect  of  the  day  of  my  return 
home.  I  said  my  soul  was  iron,  an<l 
my  heart  converted  into  stone.  O 
that  they  were  indeed  so  I    But  eor- 


rowing  is  a  vain  thing,  and  my  task 
must  not  stand  still. 

When  I  left  Ayr  the  leaves  were 
green,  and  the  fields  gay,  and  the 
waters  glad;  and  when  the  yellow 
leaf  rustled  on  the  ground,  and  the 
waters  were  druuily,  and  the  river 
roaring,  I  was  somehow,  i  know  not 
by  what  means,  in  the  kirk-yard,  and 
the  film  fell  from  the  eyes  of  my  rea- 
son, and  I  looked  around,  and  n)y 
little  boy  had  hold  of  me  by  the 
hand,  and  I  said  to  him,  "  Joseph, 
what's  yon  sae  big  and  green  in  our 
lairV  "  and  he  gazed  in  my  face,  and 
the  tears  came  into  bis  eyes,  and  ho 
replied — 

'•  Fatiier,  they  are  a'  in  the  snmo 
grav(;."  I  took  my  hand  out  of  his  ; 
— I  walked  slowly  to  the  green  tomb  ; 
— I  knelt  down,  and  I  caused  mv  son 
to  kneel  beside  me,  and  I  vowjd  enmity 
forever  .against Charles  Stuart  and  .dl 
of  his  line  ;  and  prayed,  in  the  words 
of  the  Psalmist,  that  when  he  was 
judged  he  might  be  coudeniued.  Then 
we  rose  ;  but  my  son  said  to  me — 

"  Father,  I  canna  wish  his  con- 
demnation ;  but  I'll  fight  by  your  side 
till  we  have  harlt  him  down  from  lus 
bloody  throne.' 

And  I  felt  that  I  had  forgotten  I 
was  a  Christian,  and  I  again  knelt 
down  and  prayed,  but  it  was  for  the 
sin  I  had  done  in  the  vengeance  of  the 
Latter  clause.  "  NevertheleHS,  Lord," 
I  then  cried,  "  as  Thou  Thyself  didst  ' 
take  the  sceptre  from  Saul,  and  g.ave 
the  crown  to  David,  make  me  an  in- 
strument to  work  out  the  purposes  of 
Thy  drcadfu'  justice,  which  in  time 
will  come  to  be." 

Then  I  arose  ag<ain,  ami  went  to- 
wards the  pla'io  where  my  home  had 
been ;  but  when  I  saw  the  ruin-i  I 
ran  back  to  the  kirkyard,  and  threw 
myself  on  the  grave,  and  cried  to  the 
earth  to  open  and  receive  nic. 

But  the  Lord  had  heard  my 
prayer,  and  while  I  lay  there  He  sent 


192 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE, 


>^ 


down  tho  consoling  angel,  and  the 
whirlwind  of  my  spirit  was  calmed, 
and  I  remembered  tho  promise  of  my 
son  to  fight  by  ray  side,  and  I  arose  to 
prepare  myself  for  tho  warfare. 

While  I  was  lying  on  the  ground 
several  of  the  neighbours  had  heard 
my  wiM  cries,  and  came  into  the  kirk- 
yard  ;  but  by  that  time  tho  course  of 
the  tempest  had  been  stayed,  and  they 
stood  apart  with  my  son,  who  told 
them  I  was  come  again  to  myself,  and 
they  thought  they  ought  not  to  dis- 
turb me ;  when,  however,  they  paw 
me  rise,  they  drew  near  and  spoke 
kindly  to  me,  and  Zachariah  Smylie 
invited  me  to  go  back  with  him  to 
his  house  ;  for  it  was  with  him  I  had 
been  siieltercd  during  the  phrenzy. 
But  I  said — 

"  No :  I  will  neither  taste  meat 
nor  drink,  nor  seek  to  rest  myself, 
till  I  have  again  a  sword."  And  I 
entreated  him  to  give  mo  a  little 
money,  that,  with  my  son,  we  might 
go  into  Irvine  and  provide  ourselves 
with  weapons. 

The  worthy  man  looked  very  sor- 
rowful to  hear  me  so  speak,  and  some 
of  the  others,  that  were  standing  by, 
began  to  reason  with  me,  and  to  re- 
present the  peril  of  any  enterprise  at 
that  time.  But  I  pointed  to  the  grave, 
and  said  — 

"  Frien's,  do  you  ken  what's  in  yon 
place,  and  do  ye  counsel  me  to 
peace  ?  "  At  whicli  words  they  turned 
aside  and  shook  their  heads ;  and 
Zacliariali  Smylie  went  and  brought 
me  a  purse  of  money,  which  having 
put  into  my  bosom,  1  took  my  son  by 
the  hand,  and  bidding  them  all  fare- 
wtll,  wo  walked  to  tlie  town  silently 
together,  and  I  thought  of  my 
brother's  words  in  his  grief,  that  the 
speed  -f  lightning  was  slow  to  the 
wishes  of  revenge. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

On  arriving  in  Irvine,  wo  v/ent  to 
the  shop  of  Archibald  Macrusty,  a 
dealer  in  iron  implements,  and  I 
bought  from  him  two  swords  without 
hilts,  which  he  sold,  wrapt  in  straw- 
rope,  as  scythe-blades — a  method  of 
disguise  that  tho  ironmongers  were 
obligated  to  have  recourse  to  at  tiiat 
time,  on  account  of  the  search  now 
and  then  made  for  weapo  is  by  the 
soldiers,  ever  from  the  time  that 
Claverhouse  came  to  disarm  the 
people  ;  and  when  I  had  bought  the 
two  blades  we  went  to  Bailie  Girvan's 
shop,  which  was  a  nest  of  a'  things, 
and  bought  two  hilts,  without  any 
questions  being  asked ;  for  the  baUie 
was  a  discreet  man,  with  a  warm 
heart  to  the  Covenant,  and  not  sellir.g 
whole  swords,  but  only  hilts  and 
hefts,  it  could  not  be  imputed  to  him 
th.it  he  was  guilty  of  selling  arms  to 
suspected  persons. 

Being  thus  ^)rovided  with  two 
swords,  we  went  into  James  Glassop's 
public,  where,  having  partaken  of 
some  refreshment,  we  remained  so- 
lemnly sitting  by  ourselves  till  to- 
wards the  gloaming,  when,  recollect- 
ing that  it  would  be  a  comfort  to  us 
in  the  halts  of  our  undertaking,  I  sent 
out  my  son  to  buy  a  Bible,  and  while 
ho  was  absent  I  fell  asleep. 

On  awaking  from  my  slurriber  I 
felt  greatly  composed  and  refreshed. 
I  reflected  on  the  events  of  the  day, 
and  the  terrible  truths  that  had 
broken  in  upon  me,  and  I  was  not 
moved  with  the  same  stings  of  despe- 
ration that,  on  my  coming  to  myself, 
had  shot  like  fire  through  my  brain ; 
so  I  began  to  consider  of  tho  purpose 
whereon  I  was  bowne,  and  that  I  had 
formed  no  plan,  nor  settled  towards 
what  airt  1  should  direct  my  stcj)S. 
But  I  was  not  the  loss  determined  to 
proceed,  and  I  said  to  my  son,  who 
was  sitting  very  thoughtful  with  the 


RINGAN  GILHAIZB. 


193 


BnoK  lying  on  the  table  before  him — 
"  Olten  the  liible,  and  see  what  the 
Lord  instructs  us  to  do  at  this  time." 
And  he  opt  ned  it,  and  the  first  words 
bo  saw  and  read  were  those  of  the 
nineteenth  verse  of  the  forty-eighth 
chapter  of  the  Prophet  Jeremiah — 

'•  O  inhabitant  of  Aroer,  stand  by 
the  way  and  espy;  ask  him  that 
fleeth,  and  lier  that  escapetb,  and  say, 
What  is  done?" 

So  I  rose,  and  bidding  my  son 
close  the  Book,  and  bring  it  with  him, 
we  went  out,  with  our  sword-hilts, 
and  the  blades  still  with  the  straw- 
rope  about  them  in  our  hands,  into 
the  street  together,  where  we  had  not 
long  been  when  a  soldier  on  horse- 
back passed  us  in  great  haste;  and 
many  persons  spoke  to  him  as  he  rode 
by,  inquiring  what  news  he  had 
brought ;  but  he  was  in  trouble  of 
mind,  and  heeded  them  not  till  he 
reached  the  door  of  the  house  where 
the  captain  of  the  soldiers  then  in 
Irvine  was  abiding. 

When  he  had  gone  into  the  house 
and  delivered  his  message,  he  returned 
to  the  street,  where  by  that  time  a 
multitude,  among  which  we  wci-e,  had 
assembled,  and  he  told  to  the  many, 
who  inquired,  as  it  were  with  one 
voice, — That  Mr  Cargill,  and  a  numer- 
ous party  of  the  Cameronians,  had 
passed  that  afternoon  through  Galston, 
and  it  was  thought  they  meditated 
some  disturbance  on  the  skirts  of 
Kilmarnock,  which  made  the  com- 
mander of  the  King's  forces  in  that 
town  send  for  aid  to  the  captain  of 
those  then  in  Irvine. 

As  soon  as  I  heard  the  news,  I 
resolved  to  go  that  night  to  Kilmar- 
nock, and  abide  with  my  sister-in-law, 
the  widow  of  my  brother  Jacob,  by 
whose  instrumentality  I  thought  we 
might  hear  where  the  Cameronians 
then  were.  For,  although  I  approved 
not  of  their  separation  from  the 
general  Presbyterian  Kirk  of  Scotland, 


N 


nor  was  altogether  content  with  their 
diclaration  published  at  Sanquhar, 
tl  ere  was  yet  one  clause  which,  to  my 
spirit,  impoverished  of  all  hope,  waa 
as  food  and  raiment ;  and  that  there 
may  bo  no  perversion  concerning  the 
same  in  after  times,  I  shall  here  set 
down  the  words  of  the  clause,  and  the 
words  are  these  :— 

"  Although  we  be  for  government 
and  governors  such  as  the  Word  of 
God  and  our  Covenant  allows,  yet  we 
for  ourselves,  and  all  that  will  adhere 
to  us,  do,  by  thir  presents,  disown 
Charles  Stuart,  that  has  been  reigning 
(or  rather  tyrannizing  as  we  may  say) 
on  the  throne  of  Britain  these  years 
bygone,  as  having  any  right  or  title 
to,  or  interest  in,  the  crown  of  Scot- 
land for  government,  he  having  for- 
feited the  same  several  years  since  by 
his  perjury  and  breach  of  Covenant 
both  to  God  and  His  kirk;"  and 
further,  I  did  approve  of  those  pas- 
sages wherein  it  was  declared,  that  he 
"should  have  been  denuded  of  being 
king,  ruler,  or  magistrate,  or  having 
any  power  to  act  or  be  obeyed  as 
such  :  "  as  also,  "  we  being  under  the 
standard  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
Captain  of  Salvation,  do  declare  a  war 
with  such  a  tyrant  and  tisurper,  and 
all  the  men  of  his  practices,  as  enemies 
to  our  Lord." 

Accordingly,  on  hearing  that  the 
excommunicated  and  suffering  society 
of  the  Cameronians  were  so  near,  I 
resolved,  on  receiving  the  soldiers 
information,  and  on  account  of  that 
recited  clause  of  the  Sanquhar  declara- 
tion, to  league  myself  with  them,  and 
to  fight  in  their  avenging  battles ;  for, 
like  me,  they  had  endured  irremedi- 
able wrongs,  injustice,  and  oppres- 
sions, from  the  persecutors,  and  for 
that  cause  had,  like  me,  abjured  the 
doomed  and  papistical  race  of  the 
tyrannical  Stuarts.  With  my  son, 
therefore,  I  went  toward  Kilmarnock, 
in  the  hope  and  with  the  intent  ex- 


104 


RINOAN  GILHATZE. 


fow 


these 
stone 
miud 
the  ejup 


pressed;  and  though  the  road  was 
five  long  miles,  and  though  I  had  not 
spoken  more  to  him  nil  day,  nor  for 
days,  and  wet-ks,  and  months  before, 
than  I  have  set  down  heroin,  we  yet 
continued  to  travel  in  silence. 

The  night  was  bleak,  and  the  wind 
easterly,  but  the  road  was  dry,  and 
my  thoughts  were  eager ;  and  wo 
hastened  onward,  and  reached  tiie 
widow's  door,  without  the  interchango 
of  a  word  in  all  the  way. 

•'  Wha  do  yo  want  ?  "  said  my  son, 
**  for  naebody  hae  lived  here  since  the 
death  of  aunty." 

I  was  smote  upon  the  heart,  by 
words,  as  it  were  with  a 
t  had  not  come  into  my 
>.k  of  inquiring  how  long 
!  of  my  reason  had  lasted, 
nor  of  what  had  happened  among  otir 
friends  in  the  interim.  This  shock, 
however,  had  a  salutary  effect  in 
staying  the  haste  which  was  still  in 
my  thoughts,  and  I  conversed  with  my 
son  more  collectedly  than  I  could  have 
done  before  it,  and  he  told  me  of 
many  things  very  doleful  to  hear,  but 
I  was  thankful  to  learn  that  the  end 
of  my  brother's  widow  had  been  in 
peace,  and  not  caused  by  any  of  those 
grievous  unchances  which  darkened 
the  latter  days  of  so  many  of  the  pious 
in  that  epoch  of  the  great  displeasure. 

But  the  disappointment  of  finding 
that  Death  had  barred  her  door 
against  us,  made  it  needful  to  seek  a 
resting-place  in  some  public,  and  as 
it  was  not  prudent  to  carry  our  blades 
and  hilts  into  any  such  place  of  pro- 
miscuous resort,  we  went  up  the 
town,  and  hid  them  by  the  star-light 
in  a  field  at  a  dyke-side,  and  then 
returning  as  wayfarers,  we  entered  a 
public,  and  bespoke  a  bed  for  the 
night. 

While  we  were  sitting  in  that 
house  by  the  kitchen  fire,  I  betliought 
me  of  the  Bible  which  ny  son  had  in 
his  band,  and  told  him  that  it  would 


do  us  good  if  he  would  read  a  chapter ; 
but  just  as  he  was  beginning,  the 
mistr(>.«is  said — 

"  Sirs,  dinna  expose  yoursels ;  for 
wha  kens  but  the  i-nemy  may  come  in 
upon  you.  It's  an  unco  tiling  nowa- 
days  to  be  seen  reading  the  Bible  in 
a  change-hour<e." 

So,  being  thus  admonished,  I  bado 
my  son  put  away  the  Book,  and  we 
retired  from  the  fireside  and  sat  by 
oursels  in  the  shadow  of  a  corner; 
and  well  it  was  for  us  that  we  did  so, 
and  a  providential  thing  that  the 
worthy  woman  had  been  moved  to 
give  us  the  admonition  ;  for  we  wero 
not  many  minutes  within  the  mirk 
and  obscurity  into  wliicih  we  had 
removed,  wlion  two  dragoons,  who 
had  been  skirring  the  country,  like 
blood-hounds,  in  pursuit  of  Mr  Car- 
gill,  came  in  and  pat  tluniselves down 
by  the  fire.  Being  sorely  tired  with 
their  day's  hard  riding,  they  were 
wroth  and  blasphemous  against  all 
the  Covenanters  for  the  trouble  tliey 
gave  them;  and  I  thought  when  I 
heard  them  venting  their  bittiTncss, 
that  they  spoke  as  with  the  voice  of 
the  persecutors  that  were  the  true 
cause  of  the  grievances  whereof  they 
complained ;  for  no  doubt  it  was  a 
hateful  thing  to  persons  dressed  in 
authority  not  to  get  their  own  way, 
yet  I  could  not  but  wonder  how  it 
never  came  into  the  minds  of  such 
persons  that  if  they  had  not  trodden 
t.pon  the  worm  it  would  never  have 
turned.  As  for  the  Camcroniivns 
they  were  at  war  with  the  hoiiso  of 
Stuart,  and  having  disowned  King 
Charles,  it  was  a  tiling  to  be  looked 
for,  that  all  of  his  sect  and  side  would 
be  their  consistent  enemies.  So  I  was 
none  troubled  by  what  the  soldiers 
said  of  them,  but  my  spirit  was  chafed 
into  the  quick  to  hear  the  remorsele-s- 
nesa  of  their  enmity  against  nil  tho 
Covenanters  and  Presbyterians,  re- 
specting whom  they  swore  with  the 


the 
l)ri;/h 
Irem 
pert. 

"I 

burnt 
W 

for  at 

and 

conip.i 

tho  ni< 
son, 
tered 
darter 
'ih 
but  ('o 
to  pro 
ing,  pn 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


195 


for 


lionrfleucRfi  of  rovonge,  wishing  in 
such  a  fnj;htful  manner  the  wholo  of 
118  in  tliu  deptlia  uf  perdition,  that  i 
could  no  lonfjer  hear  them  witliout 
rebukinp  tiieir  cruel  hatred  aud  most 
foul  iniiiicty. 

"  What  pars  yon,  yoiinp  man," 
said  I  to  the  fiercest  of  tho  two 
dragoons,  an  Knglisher,  "what  gars 
you  in  that  dreadful  manner  hate  and 
blaspheme  honest  men,  who  would, 
if  they  were  permitted,  dwell  in  peace 
with  nil  mankind?  " 

'•Permitted!"  cried  he,  turning 
round  and  placing  his  chair  between 
me  and  the  door,  "  and  who  does  not 
permit  them?  Let  them  seek  the 
way  to  heaven  according  to  law,  and 
no  one  will  trouble  them," 

"  Tiie  law,  I'm  thinking,"  replied 
I  very  mildly,  "  is  mair  likely  to  direct 
them  to  another  pl.ace." 

"Here's  a  fellow," cried  the  soldier, 
riotously  laughing  to  hia  companion, 
"that  calls  the  king's  proclamation 
the  devil's  finger-])08t.  I  say,  friend, 
eoinc  a  little  nearer  tho  light.  Is 
your  name  Cargill  ?  " 

"No,"  replied  I;  and  the  light  of 
tho  firo  then  happening  to  shine 
bright  in  his  face,  my  son  laid  his 
trembling  hand  on  mine,  and  whis- 
pered to  me  with  ft  faltering  tongue — 

"  O  !  it's  one  of  tho  villains  that 
burnt  our  house,  and " 

AVhat  more  he  added  I  know  not, 
for  at  the  word  I  lcai,t  from  my  seat, 
and  rushed  upon  the  soldier.  His 
companion  flew  in  between  us ;  but 
the  moment  that  the  criminal  saw  my 
son,  who  also  sprung  forward,  he  ut- 
tered a  fearfid  howl  of  horror,  and 
darted  out  of  tho  house. 

The  ofl:er  soldier  was  surprised, 
but  ('ollected  ;  and  shutting  the  door, 
to  prevent  us  from  pursuing  or  escap- 
ing, said — 

"What's  all  this?" 

"  That's  my  father,"  said  my  son 
boldly,  '*  Ringau  Gilhaiza  of  Quharist." 


'I'ho  dragoon  looked  at  ''••.•  for  a 
moment,  with  concern  in  h..  v.ounte- 
nanee,  and  then  rei)lied,  '  I  have 
heard  of  your  name,  but  i  was  not  oi 
tlie  party.  It  was  a  very  black  job. 
But  sit  down,  Ecclesfield  wdl  not  ho 
back.  lie  has  ever  since  of  a  night 
been  afraid  of  gliusts,  and  he's  (  flf  as 
if  he  had  seen  one.  So  don't  disturb 
yourself,  but  ho  cool." 

I  made  no  answer,  nor  could  I ; 
but  I  returned  and  sat  down  in  tho 
corner  where  we  had  been  sitting,  and 
my  son,  at  tho  same  time,  took  his 
place  beside  me,  laying  his  hand  on 
mine  ;  and  I  heard  his  heart  beating, 
but  he  too  said  not  a  word. 

It  happened  that  none  of  tlio 
people  belonging  to  the  house  were 
present  at  tho  uproar;  but  hearing 
the  noise,  the  mistress  and  the  gude- 
man  came  rushing  ben.  The  soldier, 
\vho  still  stood  calmly  with  his  back 
to  the  door,  nodded  to  them  to  como 
towards  him,  which  they  did,  and  ho 
began  to  tell  them  something  in  a 
whisper.  The  landlord  held  up  hia 
hands  and  shook  his  head,  and  tlie 
mistress  cried,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
"  No  wonder  !  no  wonder !  " 

"  Had  ye  no  beiter  gang  out  and 
see  for  Ecclesfield  ?  "  said  the  land- 
lord, with  a  significant  look  to  tho 
soldier. 

The  young  man  cast  his  eyes  down, 
and  seemed  thoughtful. 

"  I  may  be  blamed,"  said  he. 
"  Gang  but  tho  house,  gudowife, 
and  bring  the  gardivinc,"  resumed  tho 
gudeman ;  and  I  saw  him  touch  her 
on  the  arm,  and  she  immediately  went 
again  into  the  room  whence  they  had 
issued.  "  Come  into  the  fire.  Jack 
Windsor,  and  sit  down,"  continued 
he;  and  the  soldier,  with  some  re- 
luctance, quitted  the  door,  and  took 
his  seat  between  me  and  it,  ■where 
Ecclesfield  had  been  sitting. 

"  Ye  ken.  Jack,"  ho  resumed  when 
they  were  seated,  "that  unless  there 


10« 


ETNGAN  QILHAIZE. 


arc  two  of  you  presont,  yo  cannn  put 
any  man  to  tlio   tewt,  bo  tliat  ovorj 
body  wlio  lias  not  In'cn  tested  is  free 
to  ^'o  wheresoever  it  pleasures  liini- 
Bel." 

The  draffooii  looked  compassion- 
ately towards  mc  ;  and  tlio  mistress 
comins;  in  at  the  time  witii  a  case- 
bottle  under  her  arm,  and  a  ^Toen 
Dutch  dram-plass  in  her  hand  she 
filled  it  with  brandy,  and  ga*,  it  to 
her  husband. 

"  Here's  to  ••'ou,  Jack  Windsoi'," 
said  the  landloi-d,  as  ho  put  tho  ghiss 
to  his  lii>s,  "  and  I  wish  a'  the  Enf,'li5ii 
in  Enj,'land  were  as  orderly  and  good- 
hearted  as  yoursel',  Jack  Windsor." 

He  tlion  held  the  jjlass  to  the  mis- 
tress, and  she  made  it  a  lippy. 

"  llae,  Jack,"  said  the  landlord, 
"  I'm  sure,  after  your  hard  travail  the 
day.  ye'll  no  be  the  waur  o'  a  dram." 

"  Curse  the  liquor,"  exclaimed  the 
drai^oon,  "  I'm  not  to  be  bribed  by  a 
dram." 

>'  Nay,"  cried  the  landlord,  "  Gude 
forbid  tliat  I  should  be  a  briber," 
still  holdin,ic  the  glass  tow.ards  the 
soldier,  who  sat  in  a  thoughtful  pos- 
ture, plainly  switluiring. 

'•  That  fellow  Kcelesfield,"  said  he, 
as  it  were  to  himself,  "the  game's 
up  with  him  in  this  world." 

"  And  in  the  next  too.  Jack  Wind- 
sor, if  he  does  na  repent,"  replied  the 
landlord  ;  and  the  dragoon  put  forth 
his  hand,  and,  taking  the  glass,  drank 
off  the  brandy. 

"  It's  a  hard  service  this  here  in 
Scotland,"  sai<l  Windsor,  holding  the 
empty  glass  in  his  hand. 

"  'Deed  is't,  Jack,"  said  the  land- 
lord, "and  it  canna  be  a  pleasant 
thing  to  a  warm-hearted  lad  like  you, 
Jack  Windsor,  to  be  ravaging  poor 
country  folk,  only  because  they  hae 
gotten  a  bee  in  their  boiinets  about 
prelacy." 

"  Curse  the  prelacy,  says  I,"  ex- 
claimed the  dragoon. 


"  VVhisht,  whisht.  Jack,"  said  the 
landlord ;  "  but  when  a  man's  sac 
scomfisht  as  ye  maun  be  the  night 
after  your  skirring,  a  word  o'  ve.\a- 
tion  canna  be  a  great  faut.  (Judewife, 
fill  Jai-k's  glass  again.  Ye'll  be  a'  the 
better  o't.  Jack ;  "  and  he  took  the 
ghiHS  from  the  dragoon's  hand  and 
held  it  to  his  wife,  who  again  tilled  it 
to  the  flowing  eye. 

"  I  shouhi  tiiink,"  said  the  dra- 
goon, "  that  Ecclesfield  cannot  be  far 
off.  lie  ought  not  to  have  run  away 
till  we  had  tested  the  strangers." 

•'  Ah  !  Jack  Windsor,"  replied  the 
landlord,  holding  out  the  glass  to 
him,  "that's  easy  for  you,  an  honest 
lad  wi'  a  clear  conscience,  to  say,  but 
think  o'  what  Ecclesfield  was  art  and 
part  in.  Yo  may  thank  your  stars, 
Jack,  that  ye  hae  ne'er  been  guilty  o' 
the  fold  things  that  he's  Avyted  wi'. 
Arc  your  father  and  mother  living. 
Jack  Windsor?" 

"  I  hope  60,"  said  the  dragoon ; 
"  but  the  old  man  was  a  little  so  so 
when  I  last  heard  of  'em." 

"  Aye,  Jack,"  replied  the  landlord, 
"  auld  folks  are  failing  subjects.  Yo 
hae  some  brothers  and  sisters  nae 
doubt  ?  They  maun  bo  weel-looked 
an  they're  ony  thing  like  you,  Jack." 

"  I  have  bat  one  sister,"  replied 
the  dragoon, "  and  there's  not  a  gooder 
girl  in  England,  nor  a  lady  in  it  that 
has  the  bloom  of  Sally  Windsor." 

"  Y'"e're  braw  folk,  you  Englishers, 
and  ye're  happy  folk,  whilk  is  far 
better,"  said  the  landlord,  presenting 
the  second  glass,  which  Jack  drank 
off  at  once,  and  returned  to  the  mis- 
tress, signifying  with  his  hand  that 
he  wanted  no  more  ;  upon  which  she 
retired  with  the  gardivine,  while  the 
landlord  continued,  "  it's  weel  for 
you  in  the  south  yonder.  Jack,  that 
your  prelates  do  not  harass  ho  jest 
folk." 

"  We  have  no  prelates  m  En 
thank  God,"  said  the  dragooi : 


gi  ,11(1. 


RINGAN  OILHAIZE. 


107 


wouKln't  Ii.ivo  'om ;  our  parsona  arc 
other  Hort  o'  tilings." 

"  1  tlioiiglit  yo  liad  an  Jiost  o' 
bisliopH,  Jack,"  saiil  tlio  l-mdlord, 

"  'J'riio,  and  good  felluwH  Homc  on 
'em  aro ;  but  though  prt-hites  be 
bishops,  bisiiops  a'n't  prelates,  whicli 
makes  a  difference." 

"  And  a  blessed  difference  it  is ; 
for  how  would  ye  like  to  hear  of  your 
father's  house  being  burnt  and  him 
in  prison,  and  your  bonny  innocent 
sister? — Kh  !  is  nae  that  Kccieslield's 
foot  elami  .ling  wi'  his  spurs  at  the 
door?" 

The  dragoon  listened  again,  and 
looked  tlioughtful  for  a  little  time, 
and  turned  his  eyes  hiistily  towards 
the  corner  where  we  were  sitting. 

The  landlord  eyed  him  anxiously. 

♦'  Yes,"  cried  the  poor  lellow,  start- 
ing from  his  seat,  and  striking  his 
closed  riglit  hand  sharply  into  his  left; 
"  yes,  J  ought  and  1  will ; '  adding 
oabnly  to  the  landlord,  "confound 
Ecclesfield,  where  is  he  gone?  I'll 
go  see ;  "  and  ho  instantly  went  out. 

The  moment  he  had  left  the  kitchen 
the  landlord  rose  find  said  to  us, 
"  Flee,  flee,  and  quit  this  dangerous 
town !  " 

Whereupon  wo  rose  hastily,  and 
my  son  lifting  the  Bible,  wliich  he 
had  laid  in  the  darkness  of  the  corner, 
we  instanter  left  the  house,  and,  not- 
withstanding the  speed  th.it  was  in 
oar  steps  as  we  hurried  up  the  street, 
I  had  a  glimpse  of  the  compass'ouato 
soldier  standing  at  the  corner  of  the 
house  when  we  ran  by. 

Thus,  in  a  very  extraordinary 
manner,  was  the  dreadful  woe  that 
had  befallen  me  and  mine  most  won- 
derfully made  a  mean,  through  the 
conscience  of  Ecclesfield,  to  effectuate 
our  escape. 

On  leaving  the  public  we  went 
straight  to  the  place  where  our  blades 
and  belts  lay,  and  took  then  up,  and 
proceeded  in  au  easterly  direction. 


Hut  I  soon  found  tliat  T  was  no  longer 
the  n)an  I  had  cnco  been;  siiffning 
and  the  fever  ol  my  frenzy  hiul  im- 
paired my  Btr»  ngth,  and  the  weight 
of  four  and  (illy  years  was  on  my 
back  ;  so  that  I  began  to  weary  for  a 
place  of  rest  for  the  night,  and  I 
looked  often  aroiu  to  discover  the 
star  of  any  window  ,  >  ;'.tall  was  dark, 
and  the  bleak  ea.'tTJy  wind  searched 
my  very  bones  ;  even  my  son,  whoso 
sturdy  healtl"  and  youmy  blood  made 
him  abler  to  thole  the  niulitair,  com- 
plained of  the  nipping  cold. 

Many  a  time  yet,  when  I  remem- 
ber that  night,  do  I  think  with  wonder 
and  reverence  of  our  condition.  An 
inlirin,  grey-haired  man,  with  a  do- 
ranged  heud  and  a  broken  he.irt, 
going  fortli  amidst  the  winter's  wind, 
with  a  little  boy,  not  passing  thirteen 
years  of  age,  to  pull  down  from  his 
throne  the  guarded  King  of  three 
mighty  kingdoms, — iind  we  did  it. — 
such  was  the  doom  of  avenging  jus- 
tice, and  such  the  pleasure  of  Heaven. 
Hut  let  me  proceed  to  rehearse  the 
trials  1  was  required  to  undergo  be- 
fore the  accomplishment  of  that  high 
predestination. 

AVeary,  as  1  liavc  said,  very  cold 
and  disconsolate,  wc  walked  hirpling 
together  for  some  time  ;  at  last  wo 
heard  the  rumbling  of  wheels  before 
us,  and  my  son  running  forward  came 
back  and  told  me  it  was  a  carrier.  I 
hastened  on,  and  with  great  satisfac- 
tion found  it  was  liobin  Hrown,  the 
Ayr  and  Kilmarnock  carrier.  I  had 
known  him  well  for  many  years,  and 
surely  it  was  a  providential  thing  that 
we  met  him  in  our  distress,  for  he  was 
the  brother  of  a  godly  man,  on  whose 
head,  while  his  family  were  around 
him,  Claverhouse,  with  his  own 
bloody  hands,  placed  the  glorious 
diadem  of  martyrdom. 

lie  had  been  told  what  had  befal- 
len me  and  mine,  and  was  greatly  a- 
mazed  to  hear  my  voice,  and  that  I 


198 


niNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


was  agah.  come  to  myself ;  and  ho 
helped  both  my  son  and  mo  into  tho 
cart ;  and,  as  he  walked  by  the  wheel, 
he  told  nic  of  many  things  wliich  had 
hcappened  durinj!:  "ly  eclipse,  and  of 
the  dreadful  executions  at  Edinburfifh, 
of  the  prisoners  taken  at  Airsmoss, 
and  how  that  papist  Jiimes  Stuart, 
Duke  of  York,  the  Kind's  brother,  was 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  Scottish 
councils,  and  was  then  rioting  in  the 
delights  of  cruelty,  with  the  use  of 
the  torture  and  the  thunibkins  upon 
prisoners  suspected,  or  accused  of 
being  honest  to  their  vows  and  their 
religious  profession.  liut  my  mind 
was  unsettled,  and  his  tale  of  calamity 
passed  over  it  like  the  east  wind  that 
blew  that  night  so  freezingly,  cruel  to 
the  sense  at  the  time,  but  of  which 
the  morrow  showed  no  memorial. 

I  said  nothing  to  Robin  lirown  of 
what  my  intent  was,  but  that  I  was 
on  my  way  to  join  the  Cameronians, 
if  I  knew  where  they  might  be  found  ; 
and  he  informed  me,  that  after  the 
raid  of  Airsmoss  they  had  scattered 
themselves  into  the  South  country, 
where,  as  Ciaverhouse  had  the  chief 
command,  the  number  of  their  friends 
was  likely  to  be  daily  increased,  by 
the  natural  issue  of  his  cruelties,  and 
that  vindifitive  exasperation,  which 
was  a  passion  and  an  affection  of  his 
mind  for  the  discomfiture  he  had  met 
with  at  Drumclog. 

"But,"  said  the  worthy  man,  "I 
hope,  Ringan  Gilhaize,  ye'll  yet  con- 
sider the  step  before  ye  tak  it.  Ye're 
no  at  this  time  in  a  condition  o 
health  to  warsle  wi'  hardship,  and 
your  laddie  there's  owre  young  to  bo 
o'  ony  fek  in  the  way  o'  war ;  for,  ye 
ken,  the  Cameronians  hae  declar't 
w.ir  against  the  King,  and,  being  few 
and  far  apart,  they're  hunted  down 
in  a'  places." 

"  If  I  canna  fight  wi' men,"  replied 
my  brive  striplinfj,  "  I  can  help  my 
father;    but  I'm  no  fear't.     David 


was  but  a  herd  laddie,  maybe  nae 
aulder  nor  bigger  than  me.  when  he 
feirt  tho  muckle  Philistine  wi'  a 
stane." 

I  made  no  answer  myself  to  Robin 
Brown's  remonstrance,  because  my 
resolution  was  girded  as  it  were  with 
a  gir  of  brass  and  adamant,  and  there- 
fore, to  reason  more  or  farther  con- 
cerning aught  but  of  the  means  to 
achieve  my  purpose,  was  a  thing  I 
could  not  abide.  Only  I  said  to  him, 
that  being  weary,  and  not  in  my 
wonted  health,  I  would  try  to  com- 
pose myself  to  sleep,  and  he  would 
waken  me  when  he  thought  fit,  for 
that  I  would  not  go  with  him  to 
Glasgow,  but  shape  our  way  towartla 
the  South  country.  So  I  stretched 
myself  out.  and  my  dear  son  laid  him- 
self at  my  back,  and  the  worthy  man 
happing  us  with  his  plaid,  we  soon 
fell  asleep. 

When  the  cart  stopped  at  tlie 
Kingswell.  where  Robin  was  in  tho 
usage  of  halting  half  an  hour,  ho 
awoke  us;  and  there  being  no 
strangers  in  the  house  we  alighted, 
and  going  in,  warmed  ourselves  at 
the  fire. 

Out  of  a  compassion  for  me  tho 
mistress  warmed  and  spiced  a  ]iint  of 
ale ;  but,  instead  of  doing  me  any 
good,  I  had  not  long  partiiken  of  tho 
same  when  I  experienced  a  great  cold- 
ness and  a  trembling  in  my  limbs,  in 
so  much  that  I  felt  myself  very  ill, 
and  prayed  the  kind  woman  to  allow 
me  to  lie  down  in  a  bed  ;  which  she 
consented  to  do  in  a  most  rharitable 
manner,  causing  her  iuisliMnd,  who 
was  a  oovenantt'd  man,  iis  T  after- 
wards fnunri,  to  rise  out  of  his,  and 
give  me  their  own. 

The  cold  and  tho  tremblings  were 
but  the  symptoms  and  beginnings  of 
a  fiore  malady,  which  soon  rose  to 
such  a  head  that  Robin  Brown  taiglet 
more  th<in  two  hours  for  me ;  but 
Btill  I  grew  worse  and  worse,  and 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


199 


could  not  be  removed  for  many  days. 
On  the  fiftli  I  wfis  bronglit  so  nigh 
unto  tlie  gates  of  death  that  my  son, 
■\vlio  never  lift  the  bed-stock,  thought 
at  one  time  I  had  been  released  from 
my  trouble.  JJiit  I  was  reserved  for 
the  task  that  the  Lord  bad  in  store 
for  me,  and  from  that  time  1  began 
to  recover;  and  nothing  could  ex- 
ceed the  tenderness  wherewith  I  was 
treated  by  those  Samaritan  Christians, 
the  landlord  and  his  wife  of  the  public 
at  Kingswell.  This  distemper,  how- 
ever, left  a  great  imbecility  of  body 
behind  it;  and  I  wondered  whether 
it  could  be  of  ^'rovidencc  to  prevent 
mo  from  going  forward  with  my 
avenging  purpose  against  Charles 
Stuart  and  ids  counsellors. 

Being  one  day  in  this  frame  of 
dubiety,  lying  in  the  bed,  and  my  son 
sitting  at  my  pillow,  I  said  to  him, 
"  Get  THE  Book,  and  open  and  read," 
which  ho  accordingly  did;  and  the 
fir-st  verse  that  he  cast  his  eye  upon 
was  tiic  twenty-fourth  of  the  seventh 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  "  With  arrows  and 
with  bows  shall  men  come." 

"Stop,"  said  I,  "and  go  to  the 
window  and  see  who  are  coming;  "  but 
when  he  went  thither  and  looked  out 
he  could  sec  no  one  far  nor  near. 
Yet  still  I  heard  the  tramp  of  many 
feet,  and  I  said  to  him,  "  Assuredly, 
Joseph,  there  are  many  persons  coming 
towards  tiiif  house,  and  I  think  they 
are  not  me)i  of  war,  for  their  steps  are 
loose,  and  tiioy  march  not  in  the  order 
of  battle." 

This  I  have  thought  was  a  wonder- 
ful sharpness  of  hearing  with  which  I 
was  for  a  Kcason  then  gifted ;  for  soon 
after  a  crowd  of  persons  were  dis- 
covered conung  over  tlie  moor  towards 
the  house,  find  it  proved  to  be  Mr 
("ar^ill,  with  about  some  sixty  of  the 
C.imoronians,  who  had  been  hunted 
from  out  their  liidiug-plaoes  iu  the 
south. 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

It  is  surely  a  mo.st  strange  matter, 
that  whenever  I  come  to  tiiink  and  to 
write  of  the  events  of  that  period,  and 
of  my  sickjiess  at  Kingswell,  my 
thoughts  relapse  into  iufii'mity,  and 
all  which  then  passed  move,  as  it  were, 
before  me  in  mist,  disorderly  and 
fantastical.  But  wherefore  need  I 
thus  descant  of  my  own  estate,  when 
so  many  things  of  the  highest  con- 
cernment are  pressing  upon  my  tablets 
for  registration?  Be  it  therefore 
enough  that  I  mention  here  how  much 
I  was  refreshed  by  the  prayers  of  Mr 
Cargill,  who  was  brought  into  my 
sick-chamber,  where  he  wrestled  with 
great  efficacy  for  my  recovery ;  and 
that  after  he  had  made  Jin  end,  I  felt 
so  much  strengthened,  tliat  I  caused 
myself  to  be  raised  from  my  bed  and 
placed  in  a  chair  at  the  open  window, 
that  I  might  see  the  men  who  had 
been  heartened  from  on  High,  by  the 
sense  of  their  suflFerings,  to  proclaini 
war  against  the  man-sworn  King,  our 
common  foe. 

They  were  scattered  before  the 
house,  to  the  number  of  more  than 
fifty,  some  sitting  on  stones,  oth«rs 
stretched  Jie  heather,  and  a  few 
walking  about  by  themselves,  stimi- 
natiug  on  mournful  fancies.  Their 
appearance  was  a  thought  wild  and 
raised, — their  beards  had  not  been 
shaven  for  many  a  day, — their  apparel 
was  also  much  rent,  and  they  had  all 
endured  great  misfortunes  in  their 
families  and  substance.  Their  homes 
had  been  made  desolate ;  some  had 
seen  their  sons  put  to  death,  and  not 
a  few  the  ruin  of  their  innocent 
daughters  and  the  virtuous  wives  of 
their  bosome,— all  by  the  fruit  of  laws 
and  edicts  which  had  issued  from  the 
councils  of  Charles  Stuart,  and  were 
enforced  by  men  drunken  with  the 
authority  oi  Im  wUtxsa^  will 


200 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE). 


But  though  my  spirit  clove  to 
theirs,  and  was  ia  unison  with  their 
intent,  I  could  not  but  doubt  of  so 
poor  a  handful  of  forlorn  men,  though 
it  be  written,  that  the  race  is  not  to 
the  swift  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong, 
and  I  called  to  my  son  to  bring  me 
the  Book,  that  I  might  be  instructed 
from  the  Word  what  I  ought  at  that 
time  to  do ;  and  when  he  had  done  so 
I  opened  it,  and  the  twenty-second 
chapter  of  Genesis  met  ray  eye,  and 
I  was  awed  and  trembled,  and  my 
heart  was  melted  with  sadness  and  an 
agonizing  grief.  For  the  command  to 
Abraham  to  sacrifice  Isaac  his  only 
son,  whom  he  so  loved,  on  the  moun- 
tains in  the  land  of  Moriah,  required 
of  me  to  part  with  my  son,  and  to 
send  him  with  the  Cameronians ;  and 
I  prayed  with  a  weeping  spirit  and  the 
imploring  silence  of  a  parent's  heart, 
that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  not  to 
put  my  faith  to  so  great  a  trial. 

I  took  the  Book  again,  and  I 
opened  it  a  second  time,  and  the  com- 
mand of  the  sacred  oracle  was  pre- 
sented to  me  in  the  fifth  verse  of  the 
fifth  chapter  of  Ecclesiastes — 

»« Better  is  it  that  thou  shouldest 
not  vow,  than  that  thou  shouldest 
vow  and  not  pay." 

But  still  the  man  and  the  father 
were  powerful  with  my  soul ;  and  the 
weaknesd  of  disease  was  in  me,  and  I 
called  my  son  towards  me,  and  I 
bowed  my  head  upon  his  hands  as  he 
stood  before  me,  and  wept  very  bit- 
terly, and  pressed  him  to  my  bosom, 
and  was  loath  to  send  him  away. 

He  knew  not  what  caused  the 
struggle  wherewith  he  saw  me  so 
moved,  and  he  became  touched  with 
fear  lest  my  reason  was  again  going 
from  me.  But  I  dried  my  eyes,  and 
told  him  it  was  not  so,  and  that  maybe 
I  would  be  better  if  I  could  compose 
myself  to  read  a  chapter.  So  I  again 
opened  the  volume,  and  the  third 
command  was  in   the  twenty-sixth 


verse  of  the  eighth   chapter  of   St 
Matthew : 

"  Why  are  ye  fearful,  O  yo  of 
little  faith  ?  " 

But  still  notwithstanding  my  re- 
bellious heart  would  not  consent,  and 
I  cried,  "  I  am  a  poor,  infirm,  deso- 
late, and  destitute  man,  and  he  ie  all 
that  is  left  me.  O  that  mine  eyes  were 
closed  in  death,  and  that  this  head, 
which  sorrow  and  care,  and  much 
misery  have  made  untimely  grey,  were 
laid  on  its  cold  pillow,  and  tlie  green 
curtain  of  the  still  kirk-yard  were 
drawn  around  me  in  my  last  long 
sleep." 

Then  again  the  softness  of  a 
mother's  fondness  came  upon  my 
heart,  and  I  grasped  the  wondering 
stripling's  hands  in  mine,  and  shook 
them,  saying,  "  But  it  must  be  so.  It 
is  the  Lord's  will ;  thrice  has  he  com- 
manded, and  I  dare  not  rebel  thrice." 

•'  What  has  He  commanded, 
father?"  said  the  boy,  "what  is 
His  will  ?  for  ye  ken  it  maun  be  done." 

"  Read,"  said  I,  "  the  twenty- 
second  chapter  of  Genesis." 

"  I  ken't,  father ;  it's  about  Abra- 
ham and  wee  Isaac ;  but  though  ye 
tak  me  into  the  land  of  Moriah,  and 
up  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  maybe  a  ram 
will  be  catched  by  the  horns  in  a 
whin-bush  for  the  burnt-offering,  and 
ye'U  no  hae  ony  need  to  kill  me." 

At  that  moment  Mr  Cargill  came 
again  into  the  room  to  bid  me  fare- 
well; but  seeing  my  son  standing 
with  the  tear  of  simplicity  in  his  eye, 
and  me  in  the  weakness  of  my  infirm 
estate  weeping  upon  his  hands,  he 
stopped  and  inquired  what  then  had 
so  moved  us ;  whereupon  I  looked 
towards  him  and  said — 

"When  I  was  taken  with  the 
malady  that  has  thus  changed  the 
man  in  me  to  more  than  the  gentle- 
ness of  woman,  ye  ken,  as  I  have 
already  told  you,  we  were  bowne  to 
seek  your  folk  out  and  to  fight  on 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


201 


yonr  side.  But  when  I  beheld  your 
dejected  and  much-persecuted  host,  a 
doubt  came  to  mo,  that  surely  it  could 
not  be  that  the  Lord  intended  through 
them  to  bring  about  the  deliverance 
of  tlie  land ;  and  under  this  doubt  as 
to  what  I  should  now  do,  and  my 
limbs  being  moreover  still  in  the 
fetters  of  sickness,  I  consulted  the 
oracle  of  God." 

"  And  what  has  been  the  answer?  " 

"  It  has  instructed  me  to  send  my 
son  Avith  you.  But  O,  it  is  a  terrible 
probation." 

"  You  have  done  well,  my  friend," 
replied  the  godly  man,  "  to  seek  ad- 
vice from  THE  WoHD ;  but  apply 
again,  and  maybe — maybe,  Ringan, 
yell  no  be  put  to  so  great  a  trial." 

To  this  I  could  only  say,  "  Alas ! 
sir,  twice  have  I  again  consulted  the 
oracle,  and  twice  has  the  answer  been 
ail  exhortation  acd  a  reproach  that  I 
should  be  f^o  loath  to  obey." 

"  But  what  for,  father,'"  interposed 
my  son,  "  need  ye  be  sae  faslied  about 
it.  I  would  ne'er  refuse.  I'm  ready 
to  gang  if  ye  were  na  sae  weakly; 
and  though  the  folk  afore  the  house 
arc  but  a  wee  waflf-like,  ye  ken  it  is 
written  in  the  Book  that  the  race  is 
^lot  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the 
strong  " 

Mr  Cargill  looked  with  admiration 
at  the  confidence  of  this  young  piety, 
and,  laying  his  hand  on  the  boy's 
head,  said,  "  I  have  not  found  so  great 
faith,  no,  not  in  Israel.  The  Lord  is 
in  thia,  Ringan,  put  your  trust  in 
ilim." 

Whereupon  I  took  my  son's  hand 
and  I  placed  it  in  the  martyr's  hand, 
and  I  said,  "  Take  him,  lead  him 
wheresoever  ye  will.  I  have  sinned 
almost  to  disobedience,  but  the  confi- 
dence has  been  renewed  within  me." 

"  Rejoice,"  said  Mr  Cargill,  in 
words  tljat  were  as  the  gift  of  health 
to  my  enfeebled  spirit,  "  Rejoice,  and 
be  exceeding'  glad ;  for  great  is  your 


reward  in  heaven ;  for  so  persecuted 
they  the  prophets  which  were  before 
you.'= 

As  he  pronounced  the  latter  clause 
I  felt  my  thoughts  flash  with  a  wild 
remembrance  of  the  desolation  of  my 
house ;  but  he  began  to  return  thinks 
for  the  comfort  that  he  himself  enjoyed 
in  his  outcast  condition,  of  beholding 
so  many  proofs  of  the  unshaken  con- 
stancy of  faith  still  in  the  land,  and 
prayed  for  me  in  words  of  such  sweet 
eloquence,  that  even  in  the  parting 
from  my  son, — my  last,  whom  I  loved 
so  well,  they  cherished  me  with  a  joy 
passing  all  understanding. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  inspired 
thanksgiving,  I  kissed  my  Joseph  on 
the  forehead,  and  bidding  him  remem- 
ber what  his  father's  house  had  been, 
bade  him  farewell. 

His  young  heart  was  too  full  to 
reply ;  and  Mr  Cargill  too  was  so 
deeply  affected  that  he  said  nothing ; 
so,  after  shaking  me  by  the  hand,  ho 
led  him  away. 

And  if  I  did  sin  when  they  were 
departed,  in  the  complaint  of  my 
childless  desolation,  for  no  less  could 
I  account  it,  it  was  a  sin  that  surely 
will  not  be  heavily  laid  against  me. 
"  O  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son, — 
would  I  had  died  for  thee,"  cried  the 
warlike  King  David,  when  Absalom 
Avas  slain  in  rebellion  against  him,  and 
he  had  still  many  children ;  but  my 
innocent  Absalom  was  all  that  I  had 
left. 

During  the  season  that  the  malady 
continued  upon  me,  through  the  un- 
suspected agency  of  Robin  Brown,  a 
paction  was  entered  into  with  certain 
of  niy  neighbours,  to  take  the  lands 
of  Quharist  on  tack  among  them,  and 
to  pay  mo  a  secret  stipend,  by  which, 
means  were  obtained  to  maintain  me 
in  a  decency  when  I  was  able  to  be 
removed  into  Glasgow.  And  when 
my  strength  was  so  far  restored  that 
I  could  bear  the  journey,  the  same 


202 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


good  luau  entered  into  a  stipulation 
with  Mrs  AJrd,  the  relict  of  a  gospel 
minister,  to  receive  mo  as  a  lodger, 
and  he  carried  nie  in  on  liis  cart  to 
her  honae  at  the  foot  of  the  Stockwell. 

With  that  excellent  person  I  con- 
tinued several  months  unmolested, 
but  witliout  he:iring  any  tidings  of  my 
son  Afllicting  tales  were  however  of 
frequent  occurrence,  concerning  the 
rigour  wherewith  the  Cameronians 
were  hunted ;  so  that  what  with 
anxiety,  and  the  backwardness  of 
nature  to  rally  in  ailments  ayont  fifty, 
I  continued  to  languish,  incapable  of 
doing  anything  in  furtherance  of  the 
vow  of  vengeance  tliat  I  had  vowed. 
Nor  should  I  suppress,  tliat  in  my 
infirmity  there  was  often  a  wildness 
about  my  thoughts,  by  which  I  was 
unfitted  at  times  to  hold  communion 
with  other  men. 

On  tl-  ?se  occasions  1  sat  wonder- 
ing if  tiie  thintfs  around  me  were  not 
the  substanciless  imageries  of  a  dream, 
and  fancying  that  those  terrible  truths 
whereof  I  can  yet  only  trust  myself  to 
hint,  niiglit  bo  the  fallacies  of  a 
diseased  sleep.  And  I  contested  as 
it  were  with  the  reality  of  all  that  I 
saw,  touched,  and  felt,  and  strugj,ded 
like  one  oppressed  with  an  incubus, 
that  I  miglit  awake  and  find  myself 
again  at  (^uhaiist  in  the  midst  of  my 
family. 

At  other  times  I  felt  all  th  3  loneli- 
ness of  the  solitude  into  which  my  lot 
was  then  cast,  and  it  was  in  vain  that 
I  tried  to  appease  my  craving  affec- 
tions with  the  thought,  that  in  parting 
will)  my  son  I  had  given  him  to  the 
Lord.  I  durst  not  say  to  myself 
there  was  aught  of  frenzy  in  that  con- 
secratiim  ;  but  wlien  I  heard  of 
CamiTonians  shot  on  the  hills  or 
brougiit  to  the  scaffold,  I  prayed  that 
I  might  receive  some  token  of  an 
accepted  offering  in  what  I  had  done. 

Sterner  feelings  too  had  their  turns 
of  predominance.  I  recalled  the  maul* 


fold  calamities  which  withered  my 
native  land — the  guilty  jirovocations 
that  the  people  had  received — the 
merciless  avarice  and  rapacious  prufli- 
gacy  that  had  ruined  so  many  worthies 
— the  crimes  that  had  tcattcred  so 
many  families— and  the  contempt  with 
which  all  our  wrongs  and  woes  were 
regarded  ;  and  then  I  would  remem- 
ber my  avenging  vow,  and  BU])plicute 
for  health. 

At  last,  one  day  Mrs  Aird,  who 
had  been  out  on  some  household 
cares,  returned  home  in  great  distress 
of  mind,  telling  me  that  the  soldiers 
had  got  hold  of  Mr  Cargill,  and  bad 
brought  him  into  the  town. 

This  happened  about  the  ninth  or 
tenth  of  .July,  in  the  afternoon  ;  and 
the  day  being  very  sultry,  the  heat 
had  oppressed  me  with  langour,  and 
I  was  all  day  as  one  laden  with 
sleep.  But  no  sooner  had  Mrs  Aird 
told  me  this,  than  I  felt  the  langour 
depart  from  nie,  as  if  a  cunibro\ia 
cloak  had  been  taken  away,  and  I 
rose  up  a  recruited  and  ic-aniniated 
mail.  It  was  so  much  the  end  of  my 
deb  lity  of  body  and  sorrowing  of 
mind,  that  she  was  loquacious  with  her 
surprise  when  she  saw  me,  as  it  were, 
with  a  miraculous  restoration,   prc- 

i)are  myself  to  go  out  in   order  t<f 
earn,  if  possible,  some  account  of  my 

SOD. 

When,  however,  I  went  into  the 
street,  and  saw  a  crowd  gathered 
around  the  guardhouse,  my  heart 
failed  me  a  little,  not  for  fear,  but 
because  the  shouts  of  the  multitude 
were  like  the  yells  and  de'-iaions  of 
insult  ;  and  I  thought  they  were 
poured  upon  the  holy  sufferer.  It 
was  not,  however,  so  ;  the  (Jospel- 
taught  people  of  Glasgow  were,  not- 
withstanding their  prelatic  thraldom, 
moved  far  othtrwiae,  and  their  shouts 
and  scoffings  were  against  a  towns- 
man of  their  own,  who  had  reviled 
the  man  of  God  on  seeing  him  a 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


203 


the  soldiers  in  the 


prisoner  amoug 
guardhouse. 

Not  thou  knowing  tliis  I  halted, 
dubious  if  I  should  go  forward ;  and 
wliile  st^mding  in  a  swither  at  the 
corner  of  the  Stockwill,  a  cart  came 
up  from  the  bridge,  driven  by  a  strip- 
ling. I  saw  that  the  cart  and  horse 
were  Robin  IJrown's,  and  before  I  had 
time  to  look  around,  my  son  had  me 
by  tlie  hand. 

We  said  little,  but  rejoiced  to  see 
each  other  again,  I  observed,  how- 
ever, tliat  his  apparel  was  become 
old,  and  that  his  eyes  were  grown 
quick  and  eager  like  those  of  the 
hunted  Cameronians  whom  I  saw  at 
Kingswell. 

"  Wo  hae  ta'en  Robin  Brown's 
cart  frae  liim,"  said  he,  "  that  I  might 
come  wi't  unjealoused  into  the  town, 
to  hear  what's  to  be  done  wi'  the 
minister;  but  I  maun  tak  it  back  the 
night,  and  maybe  we'll  ta'  in  thegither 
again  when  I  hae  done  my  errand." 

Willi  tiiat  he  parted  from  me,  and 
giving  the  liorse  a  touch  with  his 
whip,  drove  it  along  towards  tlie 
guardhouse,  whistling  like  a  blithe 
country  lad  that  had  no  care. 

As  soon  as  he  had  so  left  me  I  went 
back  to  Mrs  Aird,  and  providing  ray- 
sHf  with  what  money  I  had  in  tlie 
LvyU.  c,  I  went  to  a  sliop  and  bought 
certain  articles  of  apparel,  which  hav- 
ing been  r.ade  up  into  a  bundle,  I 
requested,  the  better  to  disguise  my 
intent,  the  merchant  to  carry  it  him- 
self to  Robin  Brown  the  Ayr  carrier's 
cart,  and  give  it  to  the  lad  who  was 
with  it,  to  take  to  Joscpli  (iilliaize — 
a  thing  easy  to  be  done,  both  the  horse 
and  cart  being  well  known  in  tliose 
days  to  the  cliief  merchants  then  in 
Glasgow. 

When  I  had  done  this,  I  went  to 
the  bridge,  and  leaning  over  it,  looked 
into  the  peaceful  flowing  tide,  and 
there  waited  for  nearly  an  hour  before 
I  saw  my  soa  returning,  and  when  at 


last  ho  came,  1  could  perceive,  as  he 
was  approaching,  that  he  did  not  wish 
I  should  speak  to  him,  while  at  the 
same  time  lie  edged  towards  me,  and 
in  passing,  said  as  it  were  to  himself, 
"The  bundle's  safe,  and  he's  for 
Edinburgh  ;  "  by  which  I  knew  that 
the  apparel  I  had  bought  for  him  was 
id  his  hands,  and  that  he  had  learnt 
Mr  Cargill  was  to  bo  sent  to  Edin- 
burgh. 

This  latter  circumstance,  however, 
opened  to  me  a  new  light  with  respect 
to  the  Cameronians,  and  I  guessed 
that  they  had  friends  in  the  town  with 
whom  they  were  in  secret  correspon- 
dence. But,  alas  !  tiie  espionage  was 
not  all  on  their  part,  as  I  very  soon 
was  taught  to  know  by  exjjerience. 

Though  the  interviews  with  Joseph 
my  sou  passed,  as  I  have  '  "oin  nar- 
rated, they  had  not  escaped  obser- 
vance. For  some  time  before,  though 
I  was  seen  but  as  I  was,  an  invalid 
man,  somewhat  inis-ettled  in  his  mind, 
there  were  persons  who  marvelled 
wherefore  it  was  that  I  dwelt  in  such 
sequestration  with  Mrs  Aird.  and 
their  marvellings  set  the  espial  of  tho 
prelacy  upon  me.  And  it  so  fell  out 
that  some  of  those  evil  persons,  who, 
for  hire  or  malice,  had  made  them- 
selves the  beagles  of  the  persecutors, 
happened  to  notice  the  manner  in 
which  my  son  came  up  to  me  when 
he  entered  the  city  driving  Robin 
Brown's  cart,  and  they  jealoused 
somewhat  of  the  truth. 

Tliey  followed  him  unsuspected, 
and  saw  in  what  manner  he  mingled 
with  the  crowd,  and  they  traced  him 
returning  out  of  the  town  witli  .seem- 
ingly no  other  cause  for  having  come 
into  ir,  than  to  receive  the  little  store 
of  apparel  that  I  had  provided  for 
hii',1.  This  was  ground  enough  to 
justify  any  molestiition  against  us,  and 
accordingly  the  same  night  I  was  ar- 
rested, and  carried  next  morning  to 
Edinburgh.    The  cruel  oUicers  would 


204 


niNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


have  forced  me  to  walk  with  the  sol- 
diers, but  every  one  who  beheld  my 
pale  face  and  emaciated  frame,  cried 
out  against  it,  and  a  cart  was  allowed 
to  me. 

On  reaching  Edinburgh  I  was 
placed  in  the  tolbooth,  wliere  many 
other  sufferers  for  the  cause  of  the 
Gospel  were  then  lying.  It  was  n  foi»l 
and  an  unwholesome  den ;  many  of 
the  guiltless  inmates  were  so  wasted 
that  they  were  rather  like  frightful 
effigies  of  death  than  living  men. 
Their  skins  were  yellow,  and  their 
bands  were  roped  and  warpt  witli  veins 
and  sinews  in  a  manner  very  awful  to 
see.  Their  eyes  were  livid  with  a 
strange  distemperature,  and  there  was 
a  charnel-house  anatomy  in  the  me- 
lancholy with  which  they  welcomed  a 
new  brother  in  affliction,  that  made 
me  feel,  when  I  entered  among  them, 
as  if  I  had  come  into  the  dark  abode 
of  spectres,  and  manes,  and  dismal 
shadows. 

The  prison  was  crowded  over-much , 
and  though  life  was  to  many  not  worth 
the  care  of  preservation,  they  yet 
esteemed  it  as  the  gift  of  their  Maker, 
and  as  such  considered  it  their  duty 
to  prolong  for  His  sake.  It  was, 
therefore,  a  rule  with  them  to  stand 
in  successive  bands  at  the  windows, 
in  order  that  they  might  taste  of  the 
living  air  from  without ;  and  knowing 
from  dismal  experience,  that  those 
who  came  in  the  last  suffered  at  first 
more  than  those  who  were  before,  it 
was  a  charitable  self-denial  among 
them  to  allow  to  such  a  longer  period 
of  the  window,  their  only  solace. 

Thus  it  was  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  third  day  after  I  had  been  im- 
mured in  that  doleful  place,  I  was 
standing  with  several  others  benind  a 
party  of  those  who  wore  in  possession 
of  the  enjoyment,  in  order  that  we 
might  take  their  places  wlien  the  hour 
expired,  and  while  we  were  thus 
awaiting  in  patience  the  tedious  elapse 


of  the  weary  moments,  a  noise  was 
heard  in  the  streets  as  of  the  approach 
of  a  multitude. 

There  was  something  in  the  coming 
sound  of  that  tuumlt  unlike  the  noise 
of  any  other  multitude ; — ever  and 
anon  a  feeble  shouting,  and  then  the 
roll  of  a  drum  ;  but  the  general  sough 
was  a  murmur  of  horror  followed 
by  a  rushing,  as  if  tiie  people  were 
scared  by  some  dreadful  sight. 

The  noiso  grew  louder  and  nearer, 
and  hoarse  bursts  of  aversion  and 
anger,  mingled  with  lamentations, 
were  distinctly  heard.  Every  one  in 
the  prison  pressed  to  tlie  window, 
wondering  what  hideous  procession 
could  occasion  the  expression  of  such 
contrarious  feelings  in  the  populace, 
and  all  eager  to  catch  a  glimp.se  of 
the  dismal  pageant,  expecting  that  it 
was  some  devoted  victim,  who,  ac- 
cording to  the  practice  of  the  time, 
was  treated  as  a  sentenced  criminal, 
even  as  he  was  conveyed  to  his  trial. 

"What  do  you  see?"  said  I  to 
one  of  the  prisoners  who  clung  to  the 
bars  of  iron  with  which  the  window 
near  where  I  stood  was  grated,  and  who 
thereby  saw  farther  down  the  street. 

"  I  can  see  but  the  crowd  coming,'' 
said  he,  "and  every  one  is  looking  as 
if  he  grewed  at  something  not  yet  in 
sight." 

At  that  moment,  and  while  I  was 
speaking,  there  was  a  sudden  silence 
in  the  Btreet. 

"  What  has  happened?  "  said  one 
of  the  sufferers  near  me:  my  heart 
beat  so  wildly  that  I  would  not  my- 
self inquire. 

"They  have  stopped,"  was  the 
answer  ;  "  but  now  they  come.  I  see 
the  magistratesi.  Their  guard  is  be- 
fore them, — the  provost  is  first — they 
.are  coming  two  and  two — and  they 
look  very  sorrowful." 

"  Are  tiiere  but  the  magistrates?  " 
said  I,  making  an  effort  to  press  in 
closer  to  the  window. 


niNGAN  GTLHATZE. 


205 


"  Aye,  now  it  is  at  liaiul,"  said 
the  man  who  was  clinjojing  to  the 
grating  of  the  window.  "  Tlie  soldiers 
are  marching  on  each  side — I  see  the 

f)risoners  ; — tiicir  hands  are  tied  bo- 
und, ilk  loaded  wi'  a  goad  of  iron — 
they  are  bareheaded — ane — twa — 
three  —  four  —  five  —  they  are  five 
fatherly-looking  men." 

"  They  are  Caraeronians,"  said  I, 
somewhat  released,  I  know  not  where- 
fore, unless  it  was  because  he  spoke 
of  no  youth  being  among  thein. 

"Ilush!"  said  he,  "here  is  an- 
other— He  is  on  horseback — I  see  the 
horse's  head — Oh !  the  sufferer  is  an 
old  grey-headed  minister — his  head  is 
uncovered — he  is  placed  with  his  face 
to  the  horse's  tail — his  hands  are  tied, 
and  his  feet  are  fastened  with  a  rope 
lieneath  the  horse's  belly.— Hush ! 
they  are  passing  under  the  window." 

At  that  moment  a  shriek  of  horror 
rose  from  all  then  looking  out,  and 
every  one  recoiled  from  the  window. 
In  the  same  instant  a  bloody  head  on 
a  halbert  was  held  up  to  us. — I  looked 
— 1  saw  the  ghastly  features,  and  I 
would  have  kissed  those  lifeless  lips ; 
for,  O  !  they  were  my  son's. 

I  had  laid  that  son,  my  only  son, 
whom  I  so  loved,  on  the  altar  of  the 
Covenant,  an  offering  unto  the  Ijord ; 
but  still  I  did  hope  that  maybe  it 
would  be  according  to  the  mercy  of 
wisdom  that  lie  would  provide  a  lamb 
in  the  bush  for  the  sacrifice ;  and 
when  the  stripling  had  parted  from 
me,  I  often  felt  as  the  mother  feels 
when  the  milk  of  love  is  in  her  bosom, 
and  her  babe  no  longer  there.  I  shall 
not,  however,  here  relate  how  my  soul 
was  wounded  at  yon  sight,  nor  ask 
the  courteous  reader  to  conceive  with 
what  agony  I  exclaimed,  "  Wherefore 
was  it,  Lord,  that  I  was  commanded 
to  do  that  unfruitful  thing ! "  for  in 
that  very  moment  the  cry  of  my  fail- 
ing faith  was  rebuked,  and  the  mys- 
tery of    the    required  sacrifice  was 


brought  into  wonderful  effect,  mani- 
festing that  it  was  for  no  light  purpose 
I  had  been  so  tried. 

Rly  fellow- sufferer,  who  hung  by 
the  bars  of  the  prison -window,  was, 
like  the  other  witnesses,  so  shaken  by 
the  woeful  spectacle,  that  he  suddenly 
jerked  himself  aside  to  avoid  the  sight, 
and  by  that  action  the  weight  of  his 
body  loosened  the  bar,  so  that  when 
the  pageantry  of  horrors  had  passed 
by,  he  felt  it  move  in  his  grip,  and  ho 
told  us  that  fcurely  Providence  had  an 
invisible  hand  in  the  bloody  scene; 
for,  by  the  loosenin?  of  that  stancher, 
a  mean  was  given  »  hereby  we  might 
all  escape.  Accordingly  it  was  agreed, 
that  as  soon  as  the  night  closed  over 
the  world,  we  should  join  our  strengths 
together  to  bend  the  bar  from  its 
c  "ket  in  the  lintel. 

And  then  it  was  I  told  them  that 
what  they  had  seen  was  the  last  relic 
of  my  martyred  family ;  and  we  made 
ourselves  wroth  with  the  recital  of 
our  several  wrongs ;  for  all  there  had 
endured  the  scourge  of  the  perse- 
cutors; and  we  took  each  other  by 
the  hand,  and  swore  a  dreadful  oath, 
never  to  desist  in  our  endeavours  till 
we  had  wrenched  the  sceptre  from 
the  tyrannical  grasp  of  the  Stuarts, 
and  broken  it  into  pieces  for  ever; 
and  we  burst  into  a  wild  strain  of 
complaint  and  clamour,  calling  on  the 
blood  of  our  murdered  friends  to 
mount,  Avith  our  cries,  to  the  gates  of 
Heaven ;  and  we  sang,  as  it  were, 
with  the  voices  of  the  angry  waters 
and  the  winds,  the  hundred  and  ninth 
Psalm ;  and  at  the  end  of  every  verso 
we  joined  our  hands,  crying,  "  Upon 
Charles  and  James  Stuart,  and  all 
their  guilty  line,  O  liord,  let  it  be 
done ;  "  and  a  vast  multitude  gathered 
around  the  prison,  and  the  lamenta- 
tions of  many  without  was  a  chorus 
in  unison  with  the  dismal  song  of  our 
vengeance  and  despair. 

At  last  the  shadows  of  tho  twilight 


206 


RINGAN  GILHAIZU. 


began  to  darken  in  the  town,  and  the 
lights  of  the  wiudows  were  to  us  as 
the  courses  of  the  stars  of  that  sky 
which,  from  our  prison  chamber, 
could  not  be  seen.  We  watched 
their  progress,  from  the  earliest  yel- 
low glimmering  of  the  lamp  in  the 
darksome  wynd,  till  the  laat  little 
twinkling  light  in  the  dwelling  of  the 
widow  that  sits  and  sighs  corapanion- 
lesa  with  her  distaif  in  the  summits 
of  the  city.  And  we  continued  our 
vigil  till  they  were  all  one  by  one 
extinguished,  save  only  the  candles  at 
the  bedsides  of  the  dying.  Then  we 
twined  a  portion  of  our  clothes  into  a 
rope,  and,  liaving  fastened  it  to  the 
iron  bar,  soon  drew  it  from  its  place 
in  the  stone ;  but  just  as  we  were 
preparing  to  take  it  in,  by  some  acci- 
dent it  ft-ll  into  tlie  street. 

The  panic  which  this  caused  pre- 
vented us  from  attempting  anytliing 
more  at  that  time;  for  a  sentinel 
walked  his  rounds  on  the  outside  of 
tlie  tolbooth,  and  we  could  not  but 
think  he  must  have  heard  the  noise. 
A  sullen  despair  in  consequence  en- 
tered into  many  of  our  hearts,  and  we 
continued  for  the  remainder  of  the 
night  silent. 

But  though  others  were  then  shaken 
in  their  faith,  mine  was  now  confident. 
I  sa'v,  by  what  had  happened  in  the 
moment  of  my  remonstr.ince,  that 
there  was  some  great  deliverance  in 
reservation  ;  so  I  sat  apart  by  myself, 
and  I  spent  the  night  in  inward 
thanksgiving  for  what  had  been  al- 
ready done.  Nor  was  this  coniidcnce 
long  without  its  reward. 

In  the  morning  a  brother  of  one  of 
my  fellow-sufferers  coming  to  condole 
with  him,  it  being  generally  reported 
that  wo  were  all  doomed  to  die,  he 
happened  to  see  the  bar  lying  on  the 
street,  and,  taking  it  up,  hid  it  till  he 
had  gone  into  a  shop  and  provided 
himself  with  a  cord.  lie  then  hastened 
to  us,  gave  us  the  cord,  and  making 


what  speed  he  could,  brought  the  iron 
in  his  plaid  ;  and,  we  having  lowered 
the  string  from  the  window,  he 
fastened  tlie  bar  to  it,  and  we  drew  it 
up  undiscovered,  and  rpsot  it  in  its 
place,  by  which  the  defect  could  not 
be  seen  by  any  one,  not  even  from 
the  street. 

That  morning,  by  the  providence 
which  was  visible  in  this,  became,  in 
our  prison,  a  season  indeed  of  light 
and  gratulation ;  and  the  day  passed 
with  us  as  a  Sabbath  to  our  sjnrits. 
The  anvils  of  Fear  were  hushed,  and 
the  shuttles  in  the  looms  of  Anxiety 
were  at  rest,  while  Hope  again  walked 
abroad  in  those  sunny  fields  wliere, 
amidst  vernal  blossoms  and  shining 
dews,  fihe  expatiates  on  the  delights 
of  the  flowing  cluster  and  the  ripened 
fruit. 

Tlie  young  man,  who  had  been  so 
guided  to  find  the  bar  of  iron,  con- 
certed with  anotlier  friend  of  his  to 
be  in  readiness  at  night  on  a  signal 
from  us,  to  master  the  sentinel.  And 
at  the  time  appointed  they  did  so; 
and  it  happened  that  tlie  soldier  was 
the  same  humane  Englisher,  Jack 
AVindsor,  who  had  allowed  me  to 
escape  at  Kilmarnock,  and  he  not 
only  remained  silent,  but  even  when 
relieved  from  his  po.st,  said  nothing; 
so  that,  to  the  number  of  more  than 
twenty,  we  lowered  ourselves  into  the 
street  and  escaped. 

But  the  city  gates  at  that  hour 
being  shut,  there  was  no  egress  from 
tlie  town,  and  many  of  us  knew  not 
where  to  hide  ourselves  till  the  morn- 
ing. Such  was  my  condition ;  and 
wandering  up  and  down  for  smiie 
time,  at  la.st  I  turned  into  the  I'l  ick- 
friars  Wynd,  where  I  saw  a  light  in 
a  window.  On  looking  around  I  be- 
held, by  that  light,  engraven  on  tho 
lintel  of  an  opposite  door,  "In  the 
Loim  IS  MY  iiorE." 

Heartened  by  the  singular  provi- 
dence that  was  eo  manifest  in  that 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


207 


cheering  text,  I  went  to  the  door  and 
knocked,  and  a  maiden  answered  to 
the  knocking. 

I  told  lier  what  I  was,  and  whence 
I  had  come,  and  entreated  her  to  have 
compassion,  and  shelter  me  for  the 
night. 

"  Alas  j  ■'  said  she,  "  what  can  hae 
sent  you  here,  for  this  is  a  bishop's 
house?" 

I  was  astounded  to  hear  that  I  had 
been  so  led  into  the  lion's  den  ;  but  I 
saw  pity  in  the  countenance  of  the 
damsel,  and  I  told  her  that  I  was  the 
father  of  tlie  poor  youth  whose  head 
had  been  carried  by  the  executioner 
through  the  town  the  day  before,  and 
that  I  could  not  but  believe  Provi- 
dence had  sent  me  thither ;  for  surely 
no  one  would  ever  tliink  of  searching 
for  me  in  a  bishop's  house. 

(Jreatly  moved  by  what  I  said,  she 
bade  mo  softly  follow  her,  and  she 
led  me  to  a  solitary  and  ruinous 
ciiambcr.  She  then  retired,  but  pre- 
sently returned  with  some  refresh- 
ment, which  having  placed  on  an  old 
chest,  slie  bade  God  be  with  me,  and 
went  away. 

With  a  spirit  of  inexpressible  ad- 
miration and  thanksgiving  I  partook 
of  that  repast,  and  then  laying  myself 
down  on  the  bare  floor,  was  blessed 
with  the  enjoyment  of  a  downy  sleep. 


^  ciiAPTEii  xxvni. 

I  SMPT  in  that  ruinous  room  in  the 
bisliop\s  house  till  far  in  the  morning, 
when,  on  going  to  the  window  with 
the  intent  of  dropping  myself  into  the 
wyiid,  I  saw  that  it  was  ordained  and 
required  of  me  to  remain  where  I  then 
was ;  for  tlie  inmates  of  tlie  houses 
foronont  were  all  astir  at  their  respec- 
tive vocations ;  and  at  the  foot  of  the 
wynd,  looking  straight  up,  was  a 
change-house,  into  which  there  was, 
even  at  that  early  hour,  a  great  re- 


sorting of  beiii  elderly  citizens  for 
their  dram  and  snap.  Moreover,  at 
the  head  of  the  wynd,  an  aged  carlin, 
with  a  distaff  in  her  arms  and  a  whorl 
in  her  hand,  sat  on  a  doorstep  tending 
a  stand  of  apples  and  comfits ;  so 
that,  to  a  surety,  had  I  made  any  at- 
tempt to  escape  by  the  window,  I 
must  have  been  seen  by  some  one, 
and  laid  hold  of.  I  therefore  retired 
back  into  the  obscurity  of  the  cham- 
ber, and  sat  down  again  on  the  old 
kist-Iid,  to  abide  the  issues  that  were 
in  reservation  for  me.  I  had  not, 
however,  been  long  there,  till  I  heard 
the  voices  of  persons  entering  into  the 
next  chamber  behind  where  I  was 
sitting,  and  I  soon  discerned  by  their 
courtesies  of  speech,  tli.it  they  were 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  who  had 
come  to  walk  with  the  bishop  to  the 
palace,  where  a  council  was  summoned 
in  sudden  haste  that  morning.  Tho 
matter  whereof  they  discoursed  was 
not  at  first  easily  made  out,  for  they 
were  conversing  on  it  when  they  en- 
tered ;  but  I  very  soon  gathered  that 
it  boded  no  good  to  the  covenanted 
cause  nor  to  the  liberties  of  Scotland. 
"What  you  remark,  Aberdeen," 
said  one,  "is  very  just;  man  and  wifo 
are  the  same  person ;  and  although 
Queensberry  has  observed,  that  the 
revenue  requires  the  penalties,  and 
that  husbands  ought  to  pay  for  their 
wives,  I  look  not  on  the  question  in 
that  light ;  for  it  is  not  right,  in  my 
opinion,  that  the  revenues  of  the 
crown  should  be  in  any  degree  depen- 
dent on  fines  and  forfeitures.  But 
tlie  Presbyterians  are  a  sect  whose 
main  principle  is  rebellion,  and  it 
would  be  haj)py  for  the  kingdom  wcro 
the  whole  race  rooted  out ;  indeed,  I 
am  quite  of  the  Duke  of  York's 
opinion,  that  there  will  be  little  peace 
among  us  till  the  Lowlands  are  made 
a  hunting-field,  and  therefore  am  I  as 
earnest  as  Queensberry  that  the  fines 
should  be  enforced." 


20S 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


"Certainly,  my  Lord  Perth,"  re- 
plied Aberdeen,  "ii  is  not  to  be 
denied,  that,  what  with  their  Cove- 
nants, and  Solemn  lioagues,  and 
Gospel  pretensions,  the  Presbyterians 
are  dangerous  and  bad  subjects ;  and 
though  I  shall  not  go  so  far  ns  to 
say,  with  the  Duke,  that  the  Lowlands 
should  be  laid  waste,  I  doubt  if  there 
be  a  loyal  subject  west  the  castle  of 
Edinburgh.  Still  the  odice  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  hold  does  not 
allow  me  to  put  any  interpretation  on 
the  law  different  from  the  terras  in 
which  the  sense  is  conceived." 

"  Then,"  said  Perth,'  •  if  there  is  any 
doubt  about  the  terms,  the  law  must  be 
altered ;  for,  unless  we  can  effectually 
crush  the  Presbyterians,  the  Duke  will 
assuredly  have  a  rough  accession. 
And  it  is  better  to  strangle  the  lion  in 
bis  nonage  than  to  encounter  him  in 
Lis  full  growth." 

"  I  fear,  my  lord,"  replied  the  Earl 
of  Aberdeen,  "  that  the  Presbyterians 
are  stronger  already  than  we  are  will- 
ing to  let  ourselves  believe.  The 
attempt  to  make  them  accept  the 
Episcopalian  establishment  has  now 
been  made,  without  intermission,  for 
more  than  twenty  years,  and  they  are 
even  less  submissive  than  they  were 
at  the  beginning." 

"  Yes,  I  confess,"  said  Lord  Perth, 
"that  they  are  most  unreasonably 
stubborn.  It  is  truly  melancholy  to 
see  what  fools  many  sensible  men 
make  of  themselves  about  the  forms 
of  worship,  especially  about  those  of  a 
religion  so  ungcntlemanly  as  the  Pres- 
byterian, which  has  no  respect  for  the 
degrees  of  rank,  neither  out  nor  in  the 
Church." 

"  I'm  afraid,  Perth,"  replied  Aber- 
deen, laughing,  "  that  what  you  say 
is  applicable  both  to  the  King  and  his 
brother ;  for,  between  ourselves,  I  do 
not  think  there  are  two  persons  in  the 
realm  who  attach  so  much  importance 
to  forms  as  tliey  do." 


"  Not  the  King,  my  Lord,  not.  the 
King!  "  cried  Perth  ;  '*  Cliarles  in  too 
much  a  man  of  the  world  to  trouble 
himself  about  any  such  trifles." 

"They  are  sun-ly  not  trifles,  for 
they  overturned  his  fatiier's  tiirone, 
and  are  shaking  his  own,"  replied 
Aberdeen  emphatically.  "  Pray,  have 
you  beard  anything  of  Argyle  lately  ?  " 

"  O  yes,"  exclaimed  Perth  merrily; 
"  a  capital  story.  lie  has  got  in  with 
a  rich  burgomaster's  frow  at  Amster- 
dam ;  and  she  has  guilders  enew  to 
indemnify  him  for  the  loss  of  half  tho 
Highlands." 

"  Aye,"  replied  Aberdeen,  "  I  do 
not  like  that ;  for  there  has  been  of 
late  a  flocking  of  the  Presbyterian  mal- 
contents to  Holland,  and  the  Prince  of 
Orange  gives  them  a  better  reception 
than  an  honest  man  should  do,  stand- 
ing as  he  does,  both  with  respect  to  tho 
crown  and  the  Duke.  This,  take  my 
word  for  it,  Perth,  ia  not  a  thing  to  be 
laughed  at." 

"  All  that,  Aberdeen,  only  shows 
the  necessity  of  exterminating  these 
cursed  Presbyterians.  We  shall  have 
no  peace  in  Scotland  till  they  are 
swept  clean  away.  It  is  not  to  be  en- 
dured that  a  King  shall  not  rule  his 
own  kingdom  as  he  pleases.  How 
would  Argyle,  and  there  was  no  man 
prouder  in  his  jurisdictions,  have  liked 
had  his  tenants  covenanted  against  him 
as  the  Presbyterians  have  so  insultingly 
done  against  his  Majesty's  Govern- 
ment? Let  every  man  bring  the  ques- 
tion home  to  his  own  business  and 
bosom,  and  the  answer  will  be  a 
short  one,  Down  with  the  Pnshi/' 
terkins ! '' 

AVhile  they  were  thus  speaking, 
and  I  need  not  advert  to  what  passed 
in  my  breast  as  I  overheard  them, 
Patterson  the  Bishop  of  Edinburgh 
came  in  ;  and  with  many  interjections, 
mingled  with  wishes  for  a  calm  pro- 
cedure, he  told  the  Lords  of  our  escape. 
He  was  indeed,  to  do  him  justice,  a, 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


209 


nmn  of  some  repute  for  plausibility, 
ftnd  take  Mm  all  in  all  for  a  prelate,  ho 
■was,  in  truth,  not  void  of  tlie  charities 
of  luunan  nature,  compared  with  otlicrs 
of  his  sect. 

»'  Your  news,"  said  the  Lord  Perth 
to  him,  "  does  not  surprise  me.  The 
societies,  astheCameronians  arc  called, 
h.vo  inserted  their  roots  and  feelers 
every  where,  llely  upon't,  Bishop 
Patterson,  that,  unless  wo  chop  off  the 
whole  connexions  of  the  conspiracy, 
you  can  hope  neither  for  homage  or 
reverence  in  your  appointments." 

"  I  could  wish,"  replied  the  Bishop, 
*'  that  some  experiment  were  made  of 
a  gentler  course  tlian  has  hitherto  been 
tried.  It  is  now  a  long  time  since 
forcj  was  first  employed :  perhaps, 
were  his  Royal  Highness  to  slacken  the 
Bcverities,  conformity  would  lose  some 
of  its  terrors  in  the  eyes  of  the  mis- 
guided Presbyterians  ;  at  all  events,  a 
more  lenient  policy  could  do  no  harm; 
and  if  it  did  no  good,  it  would  at  least 
be  free  from  those  imputed  cruelties, 
which  are  sujjposed  to  justify  the  long- 
continued  resistance  that  has  brought 
the  royal  authority  into  such  difficul- 
ties." 

At  this  juncture  of  their  conversa- 
tion a  gentleman  announced,  that  his 
master  Avas  ready  to  proceed  with 
them  to  the  palace,  and  they  forth- 
witli  retired.  Thus  did  I  obtain  a 
glin  pse  of  the  inner  mind  of  the 
Privy  Council,  by  which  I  clearly  saw, 
that  what  with  those  members  who  sa- 
tisfied their  consciences  as  lo  iniquity, 
because  it  was  made  seemingly  lawful 
by  human  statutes,  and  what  with 
those  who,  like  Lord  Perth,  considered 
the  kingdom  the  King's  estate,  and 
the  people  his  tenantry,  not  the  sub- 
jects of  laws  by  which  he  was  bound 
as  much  as  they ;  together  with  those 
others  who,  like  the  Bishop,  con- 
sidered mercy  and  justice  as  expedients 
of  state  policy,  that  there  was  no  hope 
for  the  peace  and  religious  liberties  of 


the  Presbyterians,  merely  by  resist- 
ance; and  I,  from  that  time,  began 
to  think  it  was  only  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  Prince  of  Orange, 
then  heir-presumptive  to  the  crown, 
failing  James  Stuart,  Duke  of  York, 
that  my  vow  could  bo  cffeclualiy 
brought  to  pass. 

As  soon  as  those  of  the  Privy 
Council  had,  with  their  attendants, 
left  the  house,  and  proceeded  to  join 
the  Duke  of  York  in  the  palace,  tlio 
charitable  damsel  came  to  me,  and 
conveyed  me,  undiscovered,  through 
the  hall  and  into  the  Cowgate,  where 
she  had  provided  a  man,  a  friend  of 
her  own,  one  Charles  Brownlee,  who 
had  been  himself  in  the  hands  of  tlie 
Philistines,  to  conduct  me  out  of  the 
town ;  and  by  him  I  was  guided  in 
safety  through  the  Cowgate,  and  put 
into  a  house  just  witliout  the  same, 
where  his  mother  resided. 

"Here,"  said  he,  "it  will  be  as 
well  for  you  to  bide  out  the  daylight, 
and  being  now  forth  the  town-wall, 
ye'U  can  gang  where  ye  like  unques- 
tioned in  the  gloaming."  And  so 
saying  he  went  away,  leaving  me  with 
his  mother,  an  ancient  matron,  with 
something  of  the  remnant  of  ladyness 
about  her,  yet  was  she  not  altogether 
an  entire  gentlewoman,  though  at  the 
first  glimpse  she  had  the  look  of  one 
of  the  very  highest  degree. 

Notwithstanding,  however,  that 
apparition  of  finery  which  was  about 
her,  she  was  in  truth  and  in  heart  a 
sincere  woman,  and  had,  in  the  better 
days  of  her  younger  years,  been,  as 
she  rehearsed  to  me,  gentlewoman  to 
the  Countess  of  Argylc's  mother,  and 
was  on  a  footing  of  cordiality  with 
divers  ladies  of  the  bedchamber  of 
what  she  called  the  three  nobilities, 
meaning  those  of  Scotland,  England, 
and  Ireland;  so  that  I  saw  there 
might  by  her  be  opened  a  mean  of 
espial  into  the  camp  of  the  adversaries. 
So  I  told  her  of   my  long   severe 


210 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


mnlady,  and  tho  shock  I  hnd  aufPored 
by  what  I  hud  seen  of  my  martyre<l 
8on,  and  entrcatt'd  that  slio  woiiUl 
ftUow  me  to  abide  with  her  until  my 
spirits  were  more  eomposed. 

Mrs  Hrownlee  havinf,'  tho  com- 
passion of  a  Cliristian,  and  tiic  tender- 
ness of  her  gentle  sex,  was  moved  by 
my  story,  and  very  readily  consented. 
Instead  therefore  of  going  forth  at 
random  iu  the  evening,  as  I  was  at 
one  time  mindet,  I  remained  in  her 
house ;  where  indeed  could  I  at  that 
titno  flee  in  the  hope  of  finding  any 
place  of  refuge?  But  although  this 
was  adopted  on  the  considerations  of 
human  reason,  it  was  nevertheless  a 
link  in  the  chain  of  providential 
methods  by  which  I  was  to  achieve 
the  fultiliiient  of  my  vow. 

The  house  of  Mrs  JJrownlee  being, 
ns  I  have  intimated,  nigh  to  the  gate 
of  the  city,  I  saw  from  the  window 
all  that  went  into  and  came  out  there- 
from ;  and  the  same  afternoon  I  had 
visible  evidence  of  tho  temper  where- 
with the  Duke  of  York  and  his 
counsellors  had  been  actuated  that 
day  at  Holyrood,  in  consequence  of 
the  manner  in  which  Ave  had  been  de- 
livered from  prison ; — for  Jack  Wind- 
sor, the  poor  sentinel  who  was  on 
guard  when  we  escaped  by  the  win- 
dow, was  brought  out,  supported  by 
two  of  hi=)  companions,  his  feet  hav- 
ing been  so  cruslied  in  the  torturous 
boots  before  the  Council,  during  his 
examination  anent  us,  that  ho  could 
scarcely  mark  them  to  tho  ground ; 
liis  hands  were  .ilso  bound  in  cloths, 
through  Avhich  tiie  blod  was  still 
oozing,  from  the  pressure  of  those 
dreadful  thumbikins  of  iron,  that  were 
so  often  used  in  those  days  to  screw 
accusations  out  of  honest  men,  A 
sympathising  crowd  followed  the  de- 
stroyed sufTerci,  and  tho  sight  for  a 
little  while  afflicted  me  with  sore  re- 
gret. But  when  I  considered  the 
compassion  that  the  people  showed 


for  him,  I  was  filled  with  a  strange 
satisfaction,  deducing  therefrom  en- 
couraging persuasions,  that  every  new 
sin  of  the  persecutors  removed  a  prop 
from  their  own  power,  making  its 
overthrow  more  and  more  inevital)le. 

While  1  was  peering  from  tlio 
window  in  these  reflections,  I  saw 
Quintin  FuUarton,  the  grandson  of 
John  Fullarton  of  Dykedivots,  in  tiie 
street,  and  knowing  that  from  tlie 
time  of  Bothwell-brigg  ho  had  been 
joined  with  that  zealous  and  martyred 
youti),  Kinhard  Cameron,  and  was,  as 
Kobin  Brown  told  me,  among  otiier 
acquaintances  at  Airsmoss,  I  entreated 
Mrs  Brownleo  to  go  after  liim  and  bid 
him  come,  to  me, —which  he  readily 
did,  nnd  we  had  a  mournful  comnmu- 
ing  for  some  time. 

He  told  me  the  particulars  of  my 
gallant  Joseph's  death,  and  that  it 
wjis  by  tho  command  of  Claverhouse 
himself  that  the  brave  stripling's  head 
was  cut  off,  and  sent  in  ignominy  to 
Edinburgh ;  where,  by  order  of  the 
Privy  Council,  it  was  placed  on  tho 
Netherhow. 

"  What  I  hao  suffered  from  that 
man,''  said  I,  "  Heaven  may  pardon, 
but  I  can  neither  forget  nor  forgive." 

"Vho  judgment  time's  coming,'' 
replied  Quintin  Fullarton;  "and 
your  part  in  it,  Ringan  Gilhaize,  as- 
suredly will  not  be  forgotten,  for  in 
the  heavens  there  is  a  Doer  of  justice 
and  an  Avenger  of  wrongs.' 

And  then  he  proceeded  to  tell  me, 
that  on  the  following  afternoon  there 
was  to  be  a  meeting  of  tho  heads  of 
the  Cameronian  societies,  with  ilr 
Kenwick,  in  a  dell  of  the  Esk,  about 
half  a  mile  above  Lasswade,  to  consult 
what  ought  to  be  done,  the  pursuit 
and  persecution  being  so  hot  against 
them,  that  life  was  become  a  burden, 
and  their  minds  desperate. 

'*  We  hae  many  friens,"  said  he, 
♦'in  Edinburgh,  and  I  am  entrusted 
to  warn  them  to  tho  meeting,  which 


RINOAN  GILHAIZE. 


211 


is  tho  end  of  my  coming  to  tlio  town  ; 
and  m.'iybo,  Kinp^nn  (iilliaizo,  ye'U  no 
cbjck  yoursol  to  bu  tliere  ?  " 

"  I  will  be  there,  Qiiintin  FuUar- 
ton,"  said  I ;  "  and  in  tlie  Htnnytii  of 
the  Lord  I  will  como  armed,  witii  a 
weapon  of  more  mi;,'iit  than  the  sword 
and  more  terrible  than  tho  ball  that 
flyeth  unseen." 

"  What  mean  you,  Rinpan?  "  said 
he,  compassionately  ;  for  he  knew  of 
my  infirmity,  and  thought  that  I  was 
still  fevered  in  tho  mind.  But  I  told 
him,  that  for  some  time,  feeling  my> 
self  unable  for  warlike  enterprises,  I 
had  meditated  on  a  way  to  perplex 
our  guilty  adversaries,  the  which  was 
to  menace  them  with  retaliation,  for 
resistance  alone  was  no  longer 
enough. 

"  We  have  disowned  Charles  Stuart 
na  our  king,"  said  I,  "  and  we  must 
wage  war  accordingly.  IJut  go  your 
ways  and  execute  your  purposes,  and 
by  the  time  you  return  this  way  I  sliall 
have  a  i)aper  ready,  the  sending  forth 
of  which  will  strike  terror  into  the 
brazen  hearts  of  our  foes." 

1  perceived  that  he  was  still  dubious 
of  mo  ;  but,  nevertheless,  he  promised 
to  call  as  he  came  back,  and,  having 
gone  away,  I  set  myself  down  and 
drew  up  that  declaration,  wherein, 
after  a^ain  cahnly  disowning  the  royal 
authority  of  Charles  Stuart,  we  ad- 
monished our  sanguinary  persecutors, 
that,  for  self-preservation,  we  would 
retaliate  according  to  our  power,  and 
tho  degree  of  guilt  on  such  privy 
counsellors,  lords  of  justiciary,  ofli- 
cers  and  soldiers,  their  abettors  and 
inforniera,  whose  hands  should  con- 
tinue to  be  imbrued  in  our  blood. 
And  on  tho  return  of  Quintin  Fullar- 
ton,  I  gave  tho  paper  to  him,  that  it 
might  be  seen  and  considered  by  Mr 
llenwick  and  others,  previous  to 
offering  it  to  the  consideration  of  the 
meeting. 

Uo  read  it  over  very  sedhtely,  and 


folded  it  up  and  put  it  in  the  crown 
of  his  bonnet  without  saying  a  word ; 
but  several  times,  while  he  was  read- 
ing, he  cast  his  eyes  towards  me,  and 
when  ho  rose  to  go  away  lie  said, 
'•  liingan  Gilhaize,  you  have  endured 
much  ;  but  verily,  if  this  thing  can  bo 
brought  to  pass,  your  own  and  all 
our  sufferings  will  soon  be  richly 
revenged." 

"  Not  revenged,"  said  I;  "revenge, 
Quintin  FuUarton,  becomes  not  Chris- 
tian men.  liut  wo  shall  be  the  exe- 
cutioners of  the  just  judgments  of 
Ilim  whose  ministers  are  flaming  fires, 
and  pestilence,  and  war,  and  storms, 
and  perjured  kings." 

With  these  words  wo  parted,  and 
next  morning,  by  break  of  day,  I  rose, 
after  the  enjoyment  of  a  solacing  sleep, 
such  as  I  had  not  known  for  many 
days,  and  searched  my  way  across  tho 
fields  towards  Lasswado.  I  did  not, 
however,  enter  the  clachan,  but 
lingered  among  tho  woods  till  tho 
afternoon,  when,  descending  towards 
the  river,  I  walked  leisurely  up  tho 
banks,  where  I  soon  fell  in  with  others 
of  the  associated  friends. 

The  place  where  we  met  was  a 
deep  glen,  the  scroggy  sides  whereof 
were  as  if  rocks,  and  trees  and  bram- 
bles, with  here  and  there  a  yellow 
primrose  and  a  blue  hyacinth  between 
had  been  thrown  by  some  wild  jirclii- 
tect  into  many  a  difficult  and  fanta.sti- 
cal  form.  Over  a  ledgo  of  rock  fell 
tho  bright  waters  of  the  Esk,  and  in 
the  clear  linn  the  trouts  shuttled  from 
stone  and  crevice,  dreading  the  perse- 
cutions of  the  angler,  who,  in  the 
luxury  of  his  pastime,  l.eedeth  not 
what  they  may  in  their  cool  clement 
sufftr. 

It  was  then  tho  skirt  of  tho  after- 
noon, about  the  time  when  the  sweet 
breathing  of  flowers  and  boughs  lirst 
begins  to  freshen  to  the  gentle  senses, 
and  the  shadows  deepen  in  tho  cliffs 
of  the  rocks  and  darken  among  tho 


212 


RINGAN  GILTIAIZE. 


bushes.  Tiio  yellow  sunbeams  were 
still  bright  on  the  llickering  leaves  of 
a  few  trees,  which  here  and  there 
raised  their  tufty  heads  above  the 
glen  ;  but  in  the  hollow  of  the  chasm 
tiie  evening  had  commenced,  and  the 
sobriety  of  the  fragrant  twilight  was 
coming  on. 

As  we  assembled  one  by  one,  wc 
said  little  to  each  other.  vSomo  indeed 
said  nothing,  nor  even  shook  hands, 
but  went  and  seated  themselves  on  the 
rocks,  round  which  the  limpid  waters 
were  swirling  with  a  soft  and  pleasant 
din,  as  if  they  solicited  tranquillity. 
For  myself,  I  had  come  with  the 
sternest  intents,  and  I  neither  noticed 
nor  .spoke  to  any  one ;  but  going  to 
the  brink  of  the  linn,  I  sat  myaelf 
down  in  a  gloomy  nook,  and  was 
sullen,  that  the  scene  was  not  better 
troubled  into  nuison  with  the  resent- 
ful mood  of  my  spirit. 

At  last  Mr  llenwick  came,  and 
when  he  had  descended  into  the  dell, 
where  we  were  gathered  together,  after 
speaking  a  few  words  of  courtesy  to 
certain  of  his  acquaintance,  he  went 
to  a  place  on  the  shelvy  side  of  the 
glen,  and  took  his  station  between  two 
birch  trees. 

"  I  will  be  .short  with  you,  friends,'' 
said  lie;  ''for  here  we  are  too  nigh 
unto  the  adver.s;i.ries  to  hazard  our- 
selves in  any  long  debate  ;  and  there- 
fore I  will  tell  you,  as  a  man  sjieaking 
the  honesty  that  is  within  liini,  1 
neither  can  nor  do  approve  of  the 
paper  tliat  I  understand  some  among 
you  de.sire  we  should  send  forth.  I 
have,  however,  according  to  what  was 
txhibited  to  me  in  private,  brought 
here  a  jiroclamatiou,  such  as  those 
who  are  most  vehement  among  us  wish 
to  projwund ;  but  I  still  leave  it  with 
yourselves  to  determine  Avhetiier  or 
not  it  should  be  adopted — entering, 
as  1  here  do,  my  caveat  as  an  indi- 
vidual against  it.  This  paper  will  cut 
oil  all  hope  of  reconciliatiou — wc  bavo 


already  disowned  King  Charles,  it  is 
true  ;  but  this  implies,  that  we  are  also 
resolved  to  avenge,  even  unto  blood 
and  death,  whatsoever  injury  we  may 
in  our  own  persons  and  friends  bo 
subjected  to  suffer.  It  pledges  us  to 
a  war  of  revenge  and  extermination  ; 
and  we  have  to  consider,  before  wo 
wage  the  same,  the  strength  of  our 
adversary — the  craft  of  his  counsellors 
— and  the  malice  with  which  their  fears 
and  their  hatred  will  inspire  them. 
For  my  own  part,  fellow-sufferers,  I 
do  doubt  if  there  bo  any  warrandice 
in  the  Scriptures  for  such  a  defiance 
as  this  paper  contains,  and  I  would 
fain  entreat  you  to  reflect,  whether  it 
be  not  better  to  keep  the  door  of 
reconciliation  open,  than  to  shut  it  for 
ev  er,  as  the  promulgation  of  this  re- 
taliatory edict  will  assuredly  do." 

The  earnest  maimer  in  which  Mr 
Renwick  thus  delivered  himself  had 
a  powerful  effect,  and  many  thought 
as  he  did,  and  several  rose  and  said 
that  it  was  not  Christian  to  bar  the 
door  on  peace,  and  to  shut  out  even 
the  chance  of  contrition  on  the  part 
of  tlie  King  and  his  ministers. 

I  heard  what  they  said — I  listened 
to  what  they  argued— and  I  allowed 
them  to  tell  that  they  were  willing  to 
agree  to  more  moderate  counsels ;  but 
I  could  abide  no  more. 

"Moderation!  —  You,  Mr  Ren- 
wick," said  I,  "counsel  moderation — 
you  rcconnnend  the  door  of  peace  to 
be  still  kept  open — you  doubt  if  the 
Scriptures  warrant  us  to  imdertako 
revenge  ;  and  you  hope  that  our  for- 
bearance may  work  to  repentanco 
among  our  enemies.  Mr  Renwick, 
you  have  hitherto  been  a  preacher,  not 
a  sufferer ;  with  you  the  resistiince  to 
Charles  Stuart's  goveiinnent  has  been 
a  thing  of  doctrine — of  no  more  than 
doctrine,  Mr  Renwick— with  us  it  is 
a  consideration  of  facts.  Judge  yo 
therefore  between  yourself  and  us, — 
I  suy  between  yourself  and  us ;  for  I 


rJNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


213 


ask  no  other  judge  to  decide,  whether 
we  are  not,  by  all  tlio  laws  of  God  and 
man,  justified  in  avowing,  that  we 
moan  to  do  as  wo  are  done  by. 

''And.  I\Ir  Renwiclc,  you  will  call 
to  mind,  that  in  this  sore  controversy, 
the  cause  of  debate  came  not  from  us. 
AVo  wore  peaceable  Christians,  enjoy- 
ing the  shade  of  tlie  vine  and  fig-tree 
of  the  Gospel,  planted  by  the  care  and 
cherished  by  the  blood  of  our  fore- 
fathers, protected  by  the  laws,  and 
gladdened  in  our  protection  by  the 
oaths  and  the  covenants  which  the 
King  had  sworn  to  maintain.  The 
Presbyterian  freedom  of  worship  wa.s 
our  property, — we  were  in  possession 
and  enjoyment,  no  man  could  call  our 
right  to  it  in  question, — tlie  King  had 
vowed,  as  a  condition  before  he  was 
allowed  to  receive  the  crown,  that  he 
would  preserve  it.  Yet,  for  more 
than  twenty  years,  there  has  been  a 
most  cruel,  fraudulent,  and  out- 
rageous endeavour  instituted,  and 
carried  on,  to  dei)rive  us  of  that  free- 
dom and  birthright.  We  were  asking 
no  new  thing  from  Government, 
we  were  taking  no  step  to  disturb 
Government,  we  were  in  peace  with 
all  men,  when  (Jovernment,  with  the 
principles  of  a  robber  and  the  cruelty 
of  a  tyrant,  demanded  of  us  to  sur- 
render those  immunities  of  conscience 
which  our  fathers  had  earned  and 
defended ;  to  deny  the  Gospel  as  it  is 
written  in  the  Evangelists,  and  to 
accept  the  commentary  of  Charles 
Stuart,  a  man  who  has  had  no  respect 
to  the  most  solemn  oaths,  and  of 
James  ISharp,  the  apostate  of  St 
Andrews,  whose  crimes  provoked  a 
deed,  that  but  for  tlieir  crimson  hue, 
no  man  could  have  doubted  to  call  a 
most  foul  nuirdcr.  Tlie  King  and  his 
crew,  Mr  llenwick,  are,  to  the  in- 
dubitable judgment  of  all  just  men, 
the  causers  and  tlie  aggressors  in  the 
existing  dillercnco  between  bis  sub- 
jects and  him.    In  so  far,  therefore, 


if  blame  there  be,  it  lieth  not  with  us 
nor  in  our  cause. 

"  But,  sir,  not  content  with  at- 
tempting to  wrest  from  us  our  in- 
herited freedom  of  religious  worship, 
Charles  Stuart  and  his  abeUors  have 
pursued  the  courageous  constancy 
with  which  we  have  defended  the 
same,  with  more  animosity  than  they 
ever  did  any  crime.  I  speak  not  to 
you,  Mv  Renwick,  of  your  own  out- 
cast condition, — perhaps  you  delight 
in  the  perils  of  martyrdom  ;  I  speak 
not  to  those  around  us,  who,  in  their 
persons,  their  substance,  and  their 
families,  have  endured  the  torture, 
poverty,  and  irremediable  dislionour, 
— they  may  be  meek  and  hallowed 
men,  willing  to  endure.  But  I  call  to 
mind  what  I  am  and  was  myself.  I 
think  of  my  quiet  home, — it  is  all 
ashes.  I  remember  my  brave  first- 
born,— he  was  f^lain  at  Bothwell-brigg. 
Why  need  I  speak  of  my  honest 
brother;  tlie  waves  of  the  ocean, 
commissioned  by  our  persecutors, 
have  triumphed  over  him  in  the  cold 
seas  of  the  Orkneys  ;  and  as  for  my 
wife,  what  was  she  to  you  ?  Ye  can- 
not be  greatly  disturbed  that  she  is  in 
her  grave.  No,  ye  are  quiet,  cahn, 
and  prudent  persons  ;  it  would  be  a 
most  iudiscret  thing  of  you,  you  who 
have  suffered  no  wrong  your.'^elves,  to 
stir  on  her  account ;  antl  then  how 
unreasonable  I  sliould  be,  were  I  to 
speak  of  two  fair  and  innocent 
maidens. — It  is  weak  of  me  to  weep, 
tiiough  they  were  my  daughters.  O 
men  and  Christians,  brothers,  fuihers ! 
but  ye  are  content  to  bear  with  such 
wrongs,  and  I  alone  of  all  here  may 
go  to  the  gates  of  the  cities,  and  try 
to  discover  which  of  the  martyred 
heads  mouldering  there  belongs  to  a 
son  or  a  friend.  Nor  is  it  of  any  ac- 
count whether  the  bones  of  tiioso  who 
were  so  dear  to  us.  be  exposed  with 
the  remains  of  malefactors,  or  laid  in 
tho  sacred  grave.     To  the  dead  all 


(tw 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


places  are  alike ;  and  to  the  slave 
■what  signifies  who  is  master.  Let  us 
therefore  forget  the  past, — letns  keep 
open  tlio  door  of  reconciliation, — 
Bniother  all  the  wrongs  we  have  en- 
dured, and  kiss  the  proud  foot  of  the 
traniplor.  \A'e  have  our  lives ;  we 
have  been  spared ;  the  merciless 
bloodhounds  have  not  yet  reached  us. 
Let  us  tlicrefore  bo  Immble  and  thank- 
ful, and  cry  to  Charles  Stuart,  O 
King,  live  for  ever  ! — for  he  has  but 
cast  us  into  a  fiory  furnace  and  a  lion's 
den. 

"In  truth,  friends,  MrRenwick  is 
quite  right.  This  feeling  of  indigna- 
tion against  our  oppressors  is  a  most 
impruiicnt  thin/?:.  If  we  desire  to  en- 
joy our  own  contempt,  and  to  deserve 
the  derision  of  men,  and  to  merit  the 
abhorrence  of  Heaven,  let  us  yield 
ourselves  to  all  that  Charles  Stuart 
and  his  sect  require.  We  can  do 
nothing  better,  nothing  so  meritorious, 
nothing  by  •\vliich  we  can  so  rea.sou- 
ably  hopci  for  punishment  here  and 
condemnation  hereaftir.  But  if  there 
is  one  man  at  this  meeting, — I  am  not 
speaking  of  shapes  and  forms,  but  of 
feelings, — if  there  is  one  here  that 
feels  as  men  were  wont  to  feel,  ho  will 
draw  his  sword,  and  say  with  me,  Woo 
to  the  hou.-io  of  Stuart !  Woe  to  the 
oppressors  !  Blood  for  blood  !  Judge 
and  avenge  our  cause,  O  Lord !  " 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

The  meeting,  with  one  accord,  agreed 
that  the  declaration  sl;;>u]d  go  forth  ; 
ami  certain  of  those  who  were  ready 
writers,  being  provided  with  imple- 
niciits,  retired  apart  to  make  copies, 
wliilo  Mr  Benwirk.  witli  the  re- 
mainder, joined  togctlier  in  prayer. 

By  the  time  i)e  had  made  an  end, 
the  task  of  the  writers  was  finished, 
and  then  lots  were  cast  to  see  whom 
the  Lord  woidd  appoint  to  affix  the 


declaration  on  the  trones  and  kirk 
doors  of  the  towns  where  the  rage  of 
the  persecutors  burnt  the  fiercest,  and 
Ho  being  pleased  to  choose  me  for  ono 
to  do  the  duty  at  Edinburgh,  I  re- 
turned in  the  gloaming  back  to  the 
house  of  Mrs  Ikownlee,  to  abide  tlio 
convenient  season  which  I  knew  in  tlie 
fit  time  would  be  prepared.  Nor  waa  ifc 
long  till  the  same  came  to  pass,  as  I 
shall  now  briefly  set  down. 

Heron  Brownlec,  who,  as  I  have 
narrated,  brought  me  to  his  mother's 
house,  was  by  trade  a  tailor,  and  kept 
his  cloth  shop  in  the  Canongate,  some 
six  doors  lower  down  than  St  Mary's 
Wynd,  just  after  passing  the  flesher's 
stocks  below  the  Netherbow  ;  for  in 
those  days,  when  tiie  Court  was  at 
Holyrood,  that  part  of  the  town  was 
a  place  of  great  resort  to  the  gallants, 
and  all  such  as  affected  a  courtly  car- 
riage. And  it  happened  that,  on  the 
morning  after  the  meeting,  a  procla- 
mation was  sent  forth,  describing  the 
persons  and  clothing  of  the  iirisoners 
who  had  escaped  from  the  tol booth 
with  me,  threateninggrievous  penalties 
to  all  who  dared  to  harbour  them. 
This  Heron  Browidee  seeing  aftixed 
on  the  cheek  of  the  Netherbow,  came 
and  told  me ;  wliereupon,  after  con- 
ferring with  him,  it  was  agreed  that 
he  should  provide  for  me  a  suit  of 
town-like  clothes,  and  at  the  second- 
hand, that  they  might  not  cause  ob- 
servance by  any  novelty.  This  was 
in  anotlier  respect  needful ;  for  my 
health  being  in  a  frail  state,  I  stood  in 
want  of  the  halesome  cordial  of  fresli 
air,  whereof  I  couM  not  venture  to 
taste  but  in  the  du.sk  of  the  evening. 

Ho  accordingly  provided  the  ap- 
]iarel,  and  when  clothed  therewith,  I 
made  bold  to  go  out  in  the  broad  day- 
light, and  even  v(ntured  to  mingle 
with  the  multitude  in  the  garden  of 
the  palace,  who  went  daily  there  in 
the  afternoon  to  sec  the  nobles  and 
ladies  of  the  court  walking  with  their 


RINGAN  GtLHAIZE. 


i^ 


pageantries,  while  the  Duke's  musi- 
cants  solaced  them  with  melodious  airs 
and  the  delights  of  sonorous  harmony. 
And  it  happened  on  the  tliird  time  I 
went  thither,  that  a  cry  rose  of  the 
Duke  coming  from  the  garden  to  the 
palace,  and  all  the  onlookers  pressed 
to  see  him. 

As   he    advanced,    T   F^aAV  several 

f)ersuns  presenting  petitions  into  his 
lands,  which  ho  gave,  without  then 
looking  at,  to  the  Lord  Perth,  whom 
I  knew  again  by  his  voice  ;  and  I  was 
directed,  as  by  a  thought  of  inspira- 
tion, to  present,  in  like  manner,  a 
copy  of  our  declaration,  which  I 
always  carried  about  with  me ;  so 
placing  myself  among  a  crowd  of 
petitioners,  onlookers,  and  servants, 
that  formed  a^  avenue  across  tne  road 
leading  from  the  Canongate  to  the 
Abbey  kirk-yard,  and  between  the 
garden  yett  and  the  yett  that  opened 
into  the  front  court  of  the  palace.  As 
the  Duke  returned  out  of  the  garden, 
I  gave  him  the  paper ;  but  instead  of 
handing  it  to  the  Lord  I'erth,  as  I  had 
hoped  he  would  do,  he  held  it  in  his 
own  hand,  by  which  I  perceived  that 
if  he  had  noticed  by  whom  it  was 
presented,  and  looked  at  it  before  he 
went  into  the  palace,  I  would  speedily 
be  seized  on  the  spot,  unless  I  could 
accomplish  my  escape. 

15ut  how  to  effect  that  was  no  easy 
thing ;  for  the  multitude  around  was 
very  great,  and  but  three  narrow  yetts 
allowed  of  egress  from  the  enclosure 
— one  hading  into  the  garden — one 
to  tiie  palacu — and  the  other  into  the 
Canongnte.  I  tiierefore  calmly  put 
my  trust  in  Him  wlio  alone  cduld  .save 
nil',  and  remained,  as  it  were,  an  in- 
diifiTent  sjuetator,  following  the  Duke 
with  ;in  anxious  eye. 

Having  jiassed  from  tlie  garden 
into  tiie  court,  the  multitude  followed 
him  with  great  eagerness,  and  I  also 
went  in  with  them,  and  walked  very 
cleliberately  across  the  front  of  the 


palace  to  the  south-east  corner,  where 
there  was  a  postern  door  that  opened 
into  the  road  leading  to  the  King's 
park  from  the  Cowgate  port,  along 
the  outside  or  the  town  wall.  I  then 
mended  my  pace,  but  not  to  any  re- 
markable degree,  and  so  returned  to 
the  house  of  Mrs  lirownlee. 

.Scarcely  was  I  wi?ll  in,  when  Heron, 
her  son,  came  flying  to  her  with  a 
report  that  a  man  Avas  seized  in  the 
palace  garden  who  had  threatened  tiie 
Duke's  life,  and  he  was  fearful  lest  it 
had  been  me ;  and  I  was  much  grieved 
by  these  tidings,  in  case  any  honest 
man  should  be  put  to  the  torture  on 
my  account ;  but  the  Lord  had  merci- 
fully ordained  it  otherwise. 

In  the  course  of  the  night.  Heron 
BroAvnlee,  after  closing  his  shop,  came 
again  and  told  me  that  no  one  had 
been  taken,  but  tliat  some  person  in 
the  multitude  had  given  the  Duke  a 
dreadful  paper,  which  had  caused 
great  consternation  aiid  pojiic,  and 
that  a  council  Avas  sitting  at  that  late 
hour  with  the  Duke,  expresses  having 
ai  rived  with  accounts  of  the  same 
paper  having  been  seen  on  the  doors 
of  many  churches  both  in  Jsithsdalo 
and  the  shire  of  Ayr.  The  alarm, 
indeed,  raged  to  such  a  degree  among 
all  those  who  knew  in  their  consciences 
how  they  had  merited  the  doom  we 
had  pronotmced,  that  it  v/as  said  the 
very  looks  of  many  were  withered  as 
with  a  pestilent  vapour. 

Yet,  though  terrified  at  the  ven- 
geance declared  against  tluir  guilt, 
neither  the  Duke  nor  the  Privy  Coun- 
cil were  to  be  deterred  from  their 
malignant  work.  Tiie  curse  of  in- 
fatuation was  upcn  tlicni.  and  instead 
of  changing  the  rule  which  had  caused 
the  desperation  that  they  dreaded, 
tliey  heated  llie furnace  of  ]ier.secutiou 
seven-fold,  and  voted,  That  whoso- 
ever owned  or  refused  to  dieown  tho 
declaration  sliould  be  put  to  death  in 
the  presence  of  two  witnesaes,  though 


216 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


unarmed  when  taken ;  and  the  sol- 
diers were  not  only  ordered  to  enforce 
the  test,  but  were  instructed  to  put 
such  as  adhered  to  the  dechiration  at 
once  to  the  sword,  and  to  slay  those 
who  refused  to  disown  it ;  and  women 
Wire  ordered  to  be  drowned.  But  my 
pen  sickens  with  the  recital  of  horrors, 
and  I  sliall  pass  by  the  dreadful  things 
that  ensued,  with  only  remarking  that 
these  bloody  instructions  consum- 
mated the  doom  of  the  Stuarts ;  for 
scarcely  were  they  well  published 
when  the  Duke  hastened  to  London, 
and  soon  after  his  man-sworn  brother 
Charles,  the  great  author  of  all  our 
woes,  was  cut  off  by  poison,  as  it  was 
most  currently  believed,  and  the  Duke 
proclaimed  King  in  his  stead.  What 
change  we  obtained  by  the  calamity  of 
his  accession  will  not  require  many 
sentences  to  unfold. 

As  soon  as  it  was  known  abroifa 
that  Charles  the  Second  was  dead,  tlie 
Covonanters,  who  had  taken  refuge 
in  Holland  from  the  Persecution,  as- 
sembled to  consult  what  ought  then 
to  be  done ;  for  the  papist,  James 
Stuart,  on  tlie  death  of  his  brother, 
hail  caused  himself  to  be  proclaimed 
King  of  Scotland,  without  taking  those 
oatlis  by  whiclx  alone  he  could  bo  en- 
titled to  assume  the  Scottish  crown. 

At  the  head  of  this  congregation 
was  the  Earl  of  Argyle,  who,  some 
years  before,  had  incurred  the  aversion 
of  the  tyrant  to  such  a  degree  that,  by 
certain  of  those  fit  tools  for  any  crime, 
tiien  in  dismal  abundance  about  the 
court  of  llolyrood,  he  had  procured 
Ills  condemnation  as  a  traitor,  and 
would  have  brought  him  to  the  scaf- 
fold, had  the  Earl  not  fortunately 
efTocted  his  escape.  And  it  was  re- 
solved by  that  congregation,  that  the 
principal  personages  tiien  present 
fihould  form  themselves  into  a  Council, 
to  concert  the  requisite  measures  for 
the  deliverance  of  their  native  land ; 
the  immediate  issue  of  which  was, 


tiiat  a  descent  should  be  made  by 
Argyle  among  his  vassals,  in  order  to 
draw  together  a  sudicient  host  to  en- 
able tliem  to  wage  war  against  the 
Usurper,  for  so  they  lawfully  and 
rightly  denominated  James  Stuart. 

The  first  hint  that  I  gleaned  of  tliis 
design  was  tlirough  the  means  of  Mrs 
Brownlce.  She  was  invited  one  after- 
noon by  the  gentlewoman  of  the  Lady 
Sophia  Lindsay,  the  Earl's  daughter- 
in-law,  to  view  certain  articles  of  fe- 
male brawery  whicli  had  been  sent 
from  Holland  by  his  Lordship  to  her 
mistress ;  and,  as  her  custom  was.  she 
on  her  return  home,  descanted  at 
large  of  all  that  she  had  seen  and 
heard. 

Tlic  receipt,  at  that  juncture,  of 
such  gear  from  tlie  Earl  of  Argyle, 
by  such  a  Judith  of  courage  and 
wisdom  as  the  Lady  Sophia  Lindsay, 
seemed  to  me  very  remarkable,  and  I 
could  not  but  jealouse  that  there  was 
something  about  it  like  the  occultatioa 
of  a  graver  correspondence.  1  there- 
fore began  to  question  Mrs  Brownlee 
how  tlie  paraphernalia  had  come,  and 
what  the  Earl,  according  to  the  last 
accounts,  was  doing ;  which  led  her 
to  expatiate  on  many  tilings,  though 
vague  and  desultory,  that  were  yet  in 
concordance  with  wliat  I  had  over- 
heard the  Lord  Perth  say  to  the  Earl 
of  Aberdeen  in  the  Bishop's  house. 
In  the  end,  I  gathered  that  the  pre- 
sents were  brought  over  by  the  skip- 
per of  a  sloop,  one  Roderick  Macfar- 
lane,  whom  I  forthwith  determined  to 
see,  in  order  to  pick  from  him  what 
intelligence  I  could,  without  being  at 
the  time  well  aware  in  what  manner 
the  same  would  prove  useful.  I  felt 
myself,  however,  stirred  from  within 
to  do  so ;  and  I  had  hitherto,  in  all 
that  concerneil  my  avenging  vow, 
obeyed  every  instinctive  impulse. 

Accordingly,  next  morning,  I  went 
early  to  the  shore  of  Leith,  and  soon 
found  the  vessel  and  Roderick  Mac- 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


217 


farlane,  to  whom  I  addressed  myself, 
inquiring,  as  if  I  intended  to  go 
thither,  when  ho  was  likely  to  depart 
Pgain  for  Amsterdam. 

While  I  was  speaking  to  him,  I 
observed  something  in  his  mien  above 
his  condition ;  and  that  his  hands 
were  fair  and  delicate,  unlike  those  of 
men  inured  to  maritime  labour.  He 
perceived  that  I  was  particular  in  my 
inspection,  and  his  countenance  be- 
came troubled,  and  he  looked  as  if 
he  wist  not  what  to  do. 

"Fcnr  no  ill,"  said  I  to  him  ;  "I 
am  one  in  the  jaws  of  jeopardy ;  in 
sootli,  I  have  no  intent  to  pass  into 
Holland,  but  only  to  learn  whether 
there  be  any  hope  that  the  Earl  of 
Argyle  and  those  with  him  will  try  to 
help  their  covenanted  brethren  at 
home." 

On  hearing  me  speak  so  openly  the 
countenance  of  the  man  brightened, 
and  after  eyeing  me  with  a  sharp  scru- 
tiny, he  invited  me  to  come  down 
into  the  body  of  the  bark,  where  we 
had  some  frank  communion,  his  con- 
fidence being  won  by  the  plain  tale 
of  who  I  was  and  what  I  had  en- 
dured. The  Lord  indeed  was  pleased, 
throughout  that  period  of  fears  and 
tribulation,  marvellously  to  endow 
the  persecuted  with  a  singular  and 
sympathetic  instinct,  whereby  they 
were  enabled  at  once  to  discern 
their  friends ;  for  the  dangers  and 
difliculties,  to  which  we  were  subject 
in  our  intercourse,  afforded  no  time 
for  those  testimonies  and  experiences 
that  in  ordinary  occasions  are  required 
to  open  the  hearts  of  men  to  one 
another. 

After  some  general  discouise, 
Roderick  Macfarlane  told  me,  that 
his  vessel,  though  seemingly  only  for 
tralFio,  had  been  hired  by  a  certain 
Madam  Smitli,  in  Amsterdam,  and 
was  manned  by  Highlanders  of  a  de- 
gree above  the  common,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  opening  a  correspondence  be- 


tween Argyle  and  his  friends  in  Scot- 
land. Whereupon  I  proff(^red  myself  to 
assist  in  establishing  a  communication 
with  the  heads  and  leaders  of  tho 
Covenanters  in  the  West  Country,  and 
particularly  with  Mr  Renwick  and 
his  associates,  the  Cameronians,  who, 
though  grievously  scattered  and  hun- 
ted, were  yet  able  to  do  great  things 
in  the  way  of  conveying  letters,  or 
of  intercepting  emissaries  and  agents 
of  the  Privy  Council  that  miglit  be 
employed  to  contravene  the  Earl's 
pro  ects. 

Thus  it  was  that  I  came  to  be  con- 
cerned in  Argyle's  unfortunate  expe- 
dition— if  that  can  be  called  unfortu- 
nate, which,  though  in  itself  a  failure, 
yet  ministered  to  make  the  scattered 
children  of  the  Covenant  again  co- 
operate for  the  achievement  of  their 
common  freedom.  Doubtless  the  ex- 
pedition was  undertaken  before  the 
persecuted  were  sufficiently  ripened 
to  be  of  any  effective  service.  The 
Earl  counted  overmuch  on  the  spirit 
which  the  Persecution  had  raised  ;  he 
thought  that  the  weight  of  the  tyr- 
anny had  compressed  us  all  into  one 
body.  But,  alas !  it  had  been  so 
great,  that  it  had  not  only  bruised,  but 
broken  us  asunder  into  many  pieces ; 
and  time,  and  care,  and  much  per- 
suasion, were  all  requisite  to  solder 
the  fragments  together. 

As  the  spring  advanced,  being,  in 
the  manner  related,  engaged  in  fur- 
thering the  purposes  of  the  exiled 
Covenanters,  I  prepared,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  divers  friends, 
many  in  the  West  Country  to  be  in 
readiness  to  join  the  Earl's  standard 
of  deliverance.  It  is  not  however  to 
be  disguised,  thai  the  work  went  on 
but  slowly,  and  that  the  people  he.-^rd 
of  the  intended  descent  with  some- 
thing like  an  actionloss  wonderment, 
in  consequence  of  tliose  by  whom  it 
bad  been  planned  not  sending  forth 
any  declaration  of  their  views  and 


218 


r.mGAN  G1LHAI2E. 


^i 


intents.     And  this  indisposition,  es- 

Eecially  among  the  Canicronians, 
ccanie  a  settled  reluctance,  when, 
after  the  Earl  liad  readied  Campbel- 
ton,  ho  pnbli-hed  tliat  purposeless 
proclamation,  wherein,  tliough  the 
wrongs  and  woes  of  tlie  kingdom 
were  pithily  recited,  the  nature  of  the 
redress  proposed  was  in  no  manner 
manifest.  It  was  plain  indeed,  by 
many  signs,  that  the  Lord's  time  was 
not  yet  come  for  the  work  to  tiirive. 

The  divisions  in  Argyle's  councils 
were  greater  even  than  those  among 
the  different  orders  into  which  the 
Covenanters  had  been  long  split — the 
very  Cameronians  might  have  been 
sooner  persuaded  to  refrain  from  in- 
sisting on  points  of  doctrine  and 
opinion,  at  least  till  the  adversary  was 
overthrown,  than  tiiose  who  were  with 
the  ill-fated  Earl  to  act  with  union 
among  themselves.  In  a  word,  all 
about  the  expedition  was  confusion 
and  perplexity,  and  the  omens  and 
auguries  of  ruin,  showed  how  much 
it  Avanted  the  favour  that  is  better 
than  the  strength  of  numbers,  or  the 
wisdom  of  mighty  men.  But  to  pro- 
ceed— 

Sir  John  Cochrane,  one  of  those 
who  were  with  Argyle,  had,  by  some 
espial  of  his  own,  a  correspondence 
with  divers  of  the  Covenanters  in  the 
shire  of  Ayr ;  and  he  was  so  heartened 
by  their  representations  of  the  spirit 
among  them,  that  he  urged,  and 
ovo'  .e  the  Earl,  to  let  him  make  a 
iri  u  on  the  coast  before  waiting  till 
the  Highlanders  were  roused.  Ac- 
cordingly, with  the  three  ships  and 
the  men  they  liad  brought  from  Hol- 
land, he  went  toward  Largs,  famed  in 
old  time  for  a  great  battle  fought 
there  ;  but,  on  arriving  oj)posito  to 
tlie  shore,  he  found  it  guarded  by  tlie 
pov.'crs  and  forces  of  the  Government, 
in  so  much,  that  he  was  fain  to  direct 
his  course  further  up  the  river ;  and 
weighing  anchor  sailed  for  Greeno<i. 


It  happened  at  this  juncture,  after 
conferring  with  several  of  weight 
among  the  Cameronians,  that  1  went 
to  (ireenock  for  the  jmrpnse  of  taking 
shipping  for  any  ])hiee  whore  1  was 
likely  to  find  Argyle,  in  order  to  re- 
present to  iiim,  tiiat.  unless  there  was 
a  clear  account  of  what  lie  and  otliers 
with  iiim  proposed  to  do,  he  ccndd 
expect  no  co-operation  from  tiie 
societies ;  and  I  reached  the  town 
just  as  the  three  ships  were  coming 
in  sight. 

I  had  not  well  alighted  from  my 
horse  at  Dugal  M'Vicar  the  smitii's 
public, — the  best  house  it  is  in  the 
town,  and  slated.  It  stands  beside  an 
oak  tree  on  the  open  shore,  below  the 
iSlansion-house-brae,  above  the  place 
where  the  mariners  boil  their  tar-pots. 
As  I  was  saying,  I  had  not  well 
alighted  there,  when  a  squadron  of 
certain  time-serving  and  prelatic-in- 
clincd  heritors  of  tiie  shire  of  Renfrew, 
under  the  command  of  Houston  of 
that  ilk,  came  galloping  to  tlie  town 
as  if  they  would  liave  devoured  Argyle, 
host,  and  siiips  and  all ;  and  they  rode 
straight  to  the  minister's  glebe,  where, 
behind  the  kirk- yard  dyke,  they  set 
themselves  in  battle  array  with  drawn 
swords,  the  vessels  having  in  the 
meanwhile  come  to  anchor  foreneut 
the  kirk. 

Like  the  men  of  the  town  I  went 
to  be  an  onlooker,  at  a  distance,  of 
what  might  ensue ;  and  a  sore  heart 
it  was  to  me,  to  see  and  to  hear  that 
the  Greenock  folk  stood  so  much  in 
dread  of  their  superior.  Sir  John  Siiaw, 
that  they  durst  not,  for  fear  of  his 
black-liolc,  venture  to  say  that  day 
wlietlior  they  were  I'aiiists,  Prelates, 
or  Presbyterians,  he  himself  not  being 
in  the  way  to  direct  them. 

Shoitly  after  the  ships  had  cast 
anchor.  Major  Fullarton,  with  a  [  arty 
of  some  ten  or  twelve  men,  landed  at 
the  burn-foot,  near  the  kirk,  and 
having  shown  a  signal  for   parley, 


RINGAK  GlLHAIZE. 


210 


,  after 
tvoight 

WL'llt 

tiiking 
1  was 


I    the 
town 


Houston  and  bis  men  went  to  him, 
and  began  to  chafe  and  chide  him  for 
invacHng  tlie  country. 

"  We  are  no  invaders,"  said  tlio 
IVIajur,  "  we  have  come  to  our  native 
himl  to  preserve  tlie  Proteptant  re- 
ligion ;  and  I  am  grieved  tliat  such 
brave  gentlemen,  as  ye  appear  to  be, 
should  be  seen  in  the  cause  of  a  papist 
tyrant  and  usurper." 

"  Ye  lee,"  cried  Houston,  and  fired 
his  pistol  at  the  Major,  the  like  did 
h's  men;  but  they  were  so  well  aid 
quickly  answered  in  the  same  lan- 
guage, that  they  soon  were  obligated 
to  floe  like  drift  to  the  brow  of  a  hill, 
called  Kilblain-brae,  where  they  again 
showed  face. 

Those  on  board  the  ships  seeing 
what  was  thus  doing  on  the  land, 
pointed  their  great  guns  to  the  airt 
wiiere  the  cavaliers  had  rallied,  and 
fired  them  with  such  effect,  tliat  the 
stoure  and  stones  brattled  about  the 
lugs  of  the  heritors,  which  so  terrified 
them  all  that  they  scampered  off ;  and, 
it  is  said,  some  drew  not  bridle  till 
they  were  in  Pai.sley  witli  whole  skins, 
though  at  some  cost  of  leather. 

When  these  tyrant  tools  were  thus 
discomfited.  Sir  John  Cochrane  came 
on  shore,  and  tried  in  vain  to  prevail 
on  the  inhabitants  to  join  in  defence 
of  religion  and  liberty.  So  he  sent 
for  the  baron-bailie,  who  was  the 
ruling  power  of  the  town  iu  the 
absence  of  their  great  Sir  John,  and 
ordered  him  to  provide  forthwith  two 
hundred  bolls  of  meal  for  the  ships. 
But  the  bailie,  a  shrewd  and  gausie 
man  made  so  many  difficulties  iu  thj 
gatlieriiig  of  the  meal,  to  waste  time 
till  help  would  come,  that  the  kniglit 
■was  glad  to  content  himself  with  little 
more  than  a  fifth  part  of  his  demand. 

Meanwhile  1  had  made  my  errand 
known  to  Sir  John  Cochrane,  and 
when  he  went  off  with  the  meal-sacks 
to  the  ships  I  went  with  him,  and  we 
sailed  the  same  uight  to  tho  castle  of 


Allengreg,  where  Argyle  himself  then 
was. 

Whatever  doubts  and  f(>ars  I  had 
of  the  success  of  tlie  expedition,  were 
all  woefully  confirmed,  when  I  saw 
how  things  were  about  that  unfor- 
tunate nobleman.  'Jhe  controversies 
in  our  councils  at  the  Pentlaud  raid 
were  more  than  renewed  ainong  those 
who  were  around  Argyle  ;  and  it  was 
plain  to  me  that  the  sense  of  ruin  was 
upon  his  spirit ;  for,  after  I  had  told 
him  the  purport  of  my  mission,  he 
said  to  me  in  a  mournful  manner — 

"  I  can  discern  no  party  in  this 
country  that  desire  to   be  relieved ; 
there  are  some  hidden  ones  no  doubt, 
but  only  my  poor   friends  here   in 
Argyle  seem  willing  to  be  free.     God 
hath  so  ordered  it,  and  it  must  be  for 
the  best.    I  submit  myself  to  his  will." 
I  felt  the  truth  of  what  he  said, 
that  the  tyranny  had  indeed  bred  dis- 
trust among  us,  and  that  the  patience 
of  men  was  so  worn  out  that  very 
many  were  inclined  to  submit  from 
mere  weariness  of  spirit ; — but  I  added, 
to  hearten  him,  if  one  of  my  condition 
may  say  so  proud  a  thing  of  so  great 
a  person.  That  were  the  distinct  ends 
of  his  intents  made  more  clearly  mani- 
fest, maybe  the  dispersed  hearts  of  tho 
Covenanters  would  j'ct  be  knit  to- 
gether.   "  Some  think,  my  Lord,  ye'ro 
for  the  Duke  of  Monmouth  to  bo 
king,  but    that  will   ne'er  do, — tho 
rightful    heirs   canna    be  set    aside. 
James  Stuart  may  be,  and  should  be, 
put    down;    but,    according    to   the 
customs  registered,  as  I  hae  read  in 
the  ancient  chronicles  of  this  realm, 
when  our  nation  in  olden  times  cut 
off  a  king  for  his  misdeeds,  the  next 
lawful   heir  was  aye  raised    to  the 
throne." 

To  this  tho  Earl  made  no  answer, 
but  continued  some  time  thoughtful, 
and  then  said — 

"  It  rests  not  all  with  me, — those 
who  are  with  me,  as  you  may  well 


220 


EINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


note,  take  over  much  upon  them,  and 
will  not  be  controlled.  They  are  like 
the  waves,  raised  and  driven  where- 
soever any  blast  of  rumour  wiseth 
theui  to  SO-  I  g''^vo  a  letter  of  trust 
to  one  of  their  emissaries,  and,  like 
the  raven,  he  lias  never  returned.  If, 
however,  1  could  get  to  Inveraray,  I 
doubt  not  yet  that  something  might 
be  done ;  for  I  should  then  be  in  the 
midst  of  some  that  would  reverence 
Argyle." 

But  why  need  I  dwell  on  these 
melancholious  incidents?  Next  day 
the  Earl  resolved  to  make  the  attempt 
to  reach  Inveraray,  and  I  went  with 
him ;  but  after  the  castle  of  Arkinglass, 
in  the  way  thither,  had  been  taken,  he 
was  obligated,  by  the  appearance  of 
two  English  frigates  which  had  been 
sent  in  pursuit  of  the  expedition,  to  re- 
turn to  AUengreg,  for  the  main  stores 
and  ammunition  broughtfrom  Holland 
were  lodged  in  that  castle  ;  tlio  ships 
also  were  lying  there — all  whicli,  in  a 
manner,  were  at  stake,  and  no  ;.jarri- 
Bon  adequate  to  defend  the  same  from 
so  great  a  power. 

On  returning  to  AUengreg,  Argyle 
saw  it  would  be  a  golden  acliievement 
if,  in  that  juncture,  he  could  master 
the  frigates  ;  so  he  ordered  bis  force, 
which  amounted  to  about  a  thousand 
men,  to  man  the  ships  and  four  prizes 
which  he  had,  together  with  about 
thirty  cowan  boats  belonging  to  his 
vassals,  and  to  attack  the  frigates. 
But  in  this  also  he  was  disappointed, 
for  those  who  were  with  him,  and 
wedded  to  the  purpose  of  going  to 
the  liowlands,  mutinied  against  the 
scheme  as  too  hazardous,  and  obliged 
him  to  give  up  the  attempt,  and  to 
leave  the  castle  with  a  weak  and  in- 
capable garrison. 

Accordingly,  reluctant,  but  yield- 
ing to  these  blind  counsels,  after 
quitting  AUengreg,  we  marched  for 
tlie  Lowlands,  and  at  the  head  of  the 
Gureloch,  where  we  halted,  tho  garri' 


son  which  had  been  left  at  AUengreg 
joined  us  with  the  disastrous  intelli- 
gence tliat,  finding  themselves  unable 
to  withstand  the  frigates,  they  had 
abandoned  all. 

1  was  near  to  Argyle  when  the 
news  of  this  was  brought  to  him,  and 
I  observed  that  he  said  nothing  ;  but 
his  check  faded,  and  he  hastily  wrung 
his  hands. 

Having  crossed  the  river  Levcn  a 
short  way  above  Dumbarton,  without 
suffering  any  material  molestation, 
we  halted  for  the  night;  but  as  we 
were  setting  our  watches  a  party  of  the 
Government  force  appeared,  so  that, 
instead  of  getting  any  rest  after  our 
heavy  march,  we  were  obligated  to 
think  of  again  moving. 

The  Earl  would  fain  have  fought 
with  that  force,  his  numbers  being 
superior,  but  he  was  again  overruled, 
so  that  all  we  could  do  was,  during 
the  night,  leaving  our  camp-fires 
burning  for  a  delusion,  to  make  what 
haste  we  could  toward  (Glasgow. 

In  this  the  uncountenanced  for- 
tunes of  the  expedition  were  again 
seen.  Our  guides  in  the  dark  misled 
us  ;  so  that,  instead  of  being  taken  to 
Glasgow,  we  were,  after  grievous  tra- 
versing in  the  moors,  landed  on  the 
banks  of  the  Clyde  near  Kilpatrick, 
where  the  whole  force  broke  up,  Sir 
John  Cochrane,  being  fey  for  the 
West  Country,  persuading  'nany  to 
go  with  him  over  the  water,  in  order 
to  make  for  the  shire  of  Ayr. 

The  Earl,  seeing  himself  thus  de- 
serted, and  but  few  besides  those  of 
his  own  kin  left  with  him,  rode  about 
a  mile  on  towards  Glasgow,  with  the 
intent  of  taking  some  rest  in  the  house 
of  one  who  had  been  his  servant ;  but 
on  reaching  the  door  it  was  shut  in 
his  face  and  barred,  and  admission 
peremptorily  refused.  lie  said  no- 
thing, but  turned  round  to  us  with  a 
smile  of  such  resigned  sadness  that  it 
brought  tears  into  every  eye. 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


221 


Seeing  that  his  fate  was  coino  to 
such  extremity,  I  proposed  to  ex- 
change ch)tho3  with  him,  that  he 
migiit  the  better  escape,  and  to  con- 
duct him  to  the  West  Country,  where, 
if  any  chance  were  yet  left,  it  was  to 
be  found  there,  as  Sir  John  Cochrane 
had  represented.  Whereupon  he  sent 
his  kinsmen  to  make  the  best  of  their 
way  back  to  the  Highlands,  to  try 
what  could  be  done  among  his  clan, 
and,  having  accepted  a  portion  of  my 
apparel,  he  went  to  the  ferry-boat 
with  Major  FuUarton,  and  we  crossed 
the  water  together. 

On  landing  on  the  Renfrew  side 
the  Earl  went  forward  alone,  a  little 
before  the  Major  and  me ;  but  on 
reaching  the  ford  at  luchinnan  he 
was  stopped  by  two  soldiers,  who  laid 
hands  upon  him,  one  on  each  side, 
and  in  the  grappling  with  one  of  them, 
the  Earl  fell  to  the  ground.  In  a  mo- 
ment, however,  his  Lordship  started 
up,  and  got  rid  of  them  by  presenting 
his  pistols.  But  five  others  at  the 
same  instant  came  in  siglit,  and  fired 
and  ran  in  at  liim,  and  knocked  him 
down  with  their  swords.  "^Alas! 
unfortunate  Argyle,"  I  heard  him  cry 
as  he  fell ;  and  the  soldiers  were  so 
astonished  at  having  so  rudely  treated 
so  great  a  man,  tliat  tliey  stood  still 
witli  awe  and  dropped  their  swords, 
and  some  of  them  shed  tears  of  sorrow 
for  his  fate. 

Seeing  what  had  thus  happened, 
Major  Fullarton  and  I  fled  and  hid 
ourselves  behind  a  hedge,  for  we  saw 
another  party  of  troopers  coming  to- 
wards the  spot, — we  heard  afterwards 
that  it  was  Sir  Jolin  Shaw  of  Green- 
ock, with  some  of  the  Renfrewshire 
heritors,  by  whom  the  Earl  was  con- 
ducted a  prisoner  to  (Jlasgow.  But 
of  the  dismal  indignities,  and  the 
degradations  to  which  he  was  sub- 
jected, and  of  his  doleful  martyrdom, 
the  courteous  reader  may  well  spare 
me  the  sad  recital,  as  they  are  recorded 


in  all  true  British  histories,  and  ho 
will  accept  for  the  same  those  sweet 
but  mournful  lines  which  Argyle  in- 
dited in  the  dungeon : — 

Thou,  passenger,  that  sbalt  have  so  much 

timo 
To  view  my  grave,  and  ask  what  was  my 

crime; 
No  stain  of  error,  no  black  vice's  brand, 
Was  that  which  chased  me  from  my  native 

laud. 
Love  to  my  country — twice  sentenced  to 

die — 
Constrain'd  my  hands  forgotten  arms  to  try. 
More  by  friouds'  fraud  my  fall  proceeded 

hath 
Than  foes,  though  now  they  thrice  decreed 

my  deatli. 
On  my  attempt   though  Providence  did 

frown, 
IJis  oppress'd  people  God  at  length  shall 

own; 
Another  hand,  by  more  successful  speed. 
Shall  raise  the  remnant,  bruise  the  ser- 
pent's head. 
Though  my  head  fall,  that  is  no  tragic 

story. 
Since,  going  honce,  I  enter  endless  glory. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

The  news  of  the  fall  of  Ar^'-ylo  was  as 
gladdening  wine  to  the  cruel  spirit  of 
James  Stuart.  It  Avas  treated  by  him 
as  victory  was  of  old  among  the  con- 
quering Romans,  and  he  ordained 
medals  of  brass  and  of  silver  to  be 
made,  to  commemorate,  as  a  glorious 
triumph,  the  deed  that  was  a  crime. 
But  ho  was  not  content  with  such 
harmless  monuments  of  insensate 
exultation ;  he  considered  the  blow  as 
final  to  tlie  Presbyterian  cause,  and 
openly  set  himself  to  effect  the  re- 
establishment  of  the  idolatrous  abomi- 
nations of  the  mass  and  monkrie. 

Tiie  Lord  Perth  and  his  brother, 
the  Lord  Melford,  and  a  black  cata- 
logue of  others,  whose  names,  for  the 
fame  of  Scotland,  I  would  fain  expunge 
with  the  waters  of  oblivion,  consider* 
iug  Religion  as  a  thing  of  roy^  regu- 


822 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE 


lation,  professed  themaelvea  papisls, 
and  got,  as  the  price  of  their  apostaey 
and  perdition,  certain  places  of  jirofit 
in  the  (lovernnient.  Clouds  of  the 
papistical  locust  were  then  allured 
into  the  land,  to  eat  it  up  leaf  and 
blade  again.  Schools  to  teach  chil- 
dren the  deceits,  and  the  frauds,  and 
the  sins  of  the  Jesuits,  were  established 
even  in  the  palace  of  Ilolyrood-house ; 
and  the  chapel,  which  had  been 
cleansed  in  the  lime  of  Queen  Mary, 
was  a<,'ain  defiled  with  the  pageantries 
of  idolatry. 

But  the  godlypcoplo  of  Edinburgh 
called  to  mind  the  pious  bravery  of 
their  forefathers,  and  all  that  they  had 
done  in  the  Reformation  ;  and  they 
rose,  as  it  were  with  one  accord,  and 
demolished  the  schools,  and  purified 
tlic  chapel,  even  to  desolation,  and 
forced  the  papist  priest  to  abjure  his 
own  idols.  The  old  abhorrence  of 
the  abominations  was  revived  ;  for 
now  it  was  clearly  seen  what  King 
Charles  and  his  brother  had  been 
seeking,  in  the  relentless  persecution 
which  they  had  so  long  sanctioned  ; 
and  many  in  consequence,  who  had 
supported  and  obeyed  the  prelatic 
apostaey  as  a  thing  but  of  innocent 
forms,  trimbling  at  the  share  which 
they  had  taken  in  the  guilt  of  that  ag- 
gression, and  their  dismay  was  un- 
speakable. 

The  tyrant,  however,  soon  saw  that 
he  had  over-counted  the  degree  of  the 
humiliation  of  the  land;  and  being 
disturbed  by  the  union  which  his  open 
papistry  was  causing  among  all  deno- 
minations of  Protestants,  he  clianged 
his  mood,  and  from  force  resorting  to 
frand,  publishing  a  general  toleration, 
— a  device  of  policy  Avhich  greatly 
di-hearttned  the  prelatic  faction  ;  for 
they  s.iw  that  they  had  only  laboured 
to  f-trengthen  a  prerogative,  the  first 
effectual  exercise  of  which  was  directed 
against  themselves,  every  one  discern- 
ing that  the  iudulgence  was  framed  to 


give  head-rope  to  the  papists.  IJut 
the  Covenanters  made  use  of  it  to 
advance  the  cause  of  the  Gofpel,  as  I 
shall  now  proceed  to  rehearse,  as  well 
as  how  through  it  I  was  enabled  to 
perform  iny  avenging  vow. 

Among  the  exiled  Covenanters  who 
returned  with  Argyle,  and  with  whom 
1  became  acquaaited  while  with  him, 
was  Thomas  Ardmillan,  when,  after 
my  escape  at  the  time  when  the  Earl 
was  taken,  I  fell  in  again  with  at 
Kirkintilloch,  as  I  was  making  tho 
best  of  my  way  into  the  East  country, 
and  wo  went  together  to  Arbroath, 
where  he  embarked  for  Holland. 

Being  then  minded  to  return  back 
to  Edinburgh,  and  to  abide  again  with 
Mrs  Brownlee,  in  whose  house  1  had 
found  a  safe  asylum,  and  a  convenient 
place  of  esjiial,  after  seeing  him  ou 
board  the  vessel,  I  also  took  shipping, 
and  returned  to  Leith  under  an  assur- 
ance that  I  should  hear  of  him  from 
time  to  time.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  indulgence  w.is  proclaimed 
that  I  heard  from  him,  about  which 
era  he  wrote  to  me  a  most  Scriptural 
letter,  by  the  reverend  Mr  Patrick 
Warner,  who  had  received  a  call  from 
the  magistrates  and  inhabitants  of  tho 
covenanted  town  of  Irvine,  to  tako 
upon  him  the  ministry  of  their  parish. 

Mr  Warner  having  accepted  tho 
call,  on  arriving  at  Leith  sent  to  Mrs 
Brownlee's  tnis  letter,  with  a  request 
that,  if  I  was  alive  and  there,  ho 
would  bo  glad  to  see  mo  in  his  lodg- 
ing before  departing  to  tho  West 
country. 

As  tho  fragrance  of  Mr  Warner's 
sufferings  was  sweet  among  all  the 
true  and  faithful,  I  was  much  regaled 
with  this  invitation,  and  went  forth- 
with to  Leith,  where  I  found  him  in 
a  house  that  is  clad  with  oyster-shells, 
in  tho  Tod's-hole  Close.  lie  was 
sitting  in  a  fair  chamber  therein,  with 
that  worthy  bailie  that  afterwards  was 
next  year,  at  tho  time  of  tho  lievoli;-? 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


223 


tion,  Mr  Cornelius  Ncilsono,  and  his 
no  less  excellent  compeer  on  tlio  same 
great  occasion,  Mr  (Jeorgo  Sanisono, 
both  persons  of  godly  repute.  !Mr 
Cheyne,  the  town-clerk,  was  likewise 

K resent,  a  most  discreet  character; 
ut  being  a  lawyer  by  trade,  and 
como  of  an  episcopal  stock,  he  was 
rather  a  thouglit,  it  was  said,  inclined 
to  the  prelatic  sect.  Divers  others, 
douce  and  religious  characters,  were 
also  there,  especially  Mr  Jaddua  Fyfe, 
a  merchant  of  women's  gear,  then  in 
much  renown  for  his  suavity.  Mr 
Warner  was  relating  to  them  many 
consolatory  things  of  the  worth  and 
piety  of  the  Prince  and  Princess  of 
Orange,  to  whom  the  eyes  of  all  the 
Protestants,  especially  of  the  Presby- 
terians, were  at  that  time  directed. 

"  Aye,  aye,"  said  Mr  Jaddua  Fyfe, 
♦*  nae  doot,  nae  doot,  but  the  Prince 
is  a  man  of  a  sweet-smelling  odour, — 
that's  in  the  way  of  character, — and 
the  Princess;  aye,  aye,  it  is  well 
known,  that  she's  a  pure  snowdrop, 
and  a  lily  o'  the  valley  in  the  Lord's 
garden,— that's  in  the  way  of  piety." 

"They're  the  heirs  presumptive  to 
the  crown,"  subjoined  Mr  Cheyne. 

"They're  weel  entitled  to  the 
reverence  and  respect  of  us  a*,"  added 
Mr  Cornelius  Neilsone. 

"When  I  first  got  the  call  from 
Irvine,"  resumed  Mr  Warner,  "  that 
excellent  lady,  and  precious  vessel  of 
godliness,  the  Countess  of  Sutherland, 
being  then  at  the  Hague,  sought  my 
allowance  to  let  the  Princess  know  of 
my  acceptance  of  the  call,  and  to  in- 
quire if  her  Highness  had  any  com- 
mands for  Scotland  ;  and  the  Princess 
in  a  most  grncious  manner  signified 
to  her  that  the  best  thing  I,  and  those 
wlio  were  like  me,  could  do  for  her, 
was  to  bo  earnest  in  praying  that  she 
might  be  kept  firm  and  faithful  in  the 
reformed  religion,  adding  many  tender 
things  of  her  sincere  sympathy  for  the 
poor  peraecuted  people  of  Scotland, 


and  recommended  tliat  1  should  wait 
on  the  Prince  before  taking  my  depar- 
ture. I  was  not,  however,  forward  to 
thrust  myself  into  such  honour;  but 
at  last  yielding  to  the"  exhortations  of 
my  friends,  I  wont  to  the  house  of 
Mynheer  IJentinck,  and  gave  him  my 
name  for  an  audience ;  and  one  nKjrn- 
ing,  about  eight  of  the  clock,  his  ser- 
vant called  for  me  and  took  mo  to  his 
house,  and  ho  himself  conveyed  mo 
into  the  presence  of  the  Prince,  where, 
leaving  me  with  him,  we  had  a  most 
weighty  and  edifying  conversation." 

"  Aye,  aye,"  interposed  Mr  Jaddua 
Fyfe,  "it  was  a  great  thing  to  con- 
verse wi'  a  prince  ;  and  how  did  he 
behave  himsel, — that's  in  the  way  o' 
manners  ?  " 

"  Ye  needna  debate,  Mr  Fyfe,about 
that,"  replied  Mr  Sanisone,"  the  Prince 
kens  what  it's  to  be  civil,  especially  to 
his  friends ;  "  and  1  tliought,  in  saying 
these  words,  that  Mr  Samsone  looked 
particular  towards  me. 

"And  what  passed?"  said  the 
town-clerk,  in  a  way  as  if  he  pawkily 
jealoused  something.  Mr  Warner, 
however,  in  his  placid  and  minister- 
like manner,  responded — 

"  I  told  his  Highness  how  I  had 
received  the  call  from  Irvine,  and 
thought  it  my  duty  to  inquire  if  there 
was  anything  wherein  I  could  servo 
him  in  Scotland." 

"To  this  the  Prince  replied  in  & 
benign  manner  " — 

"Aye,  aye,"  ejaculated  !Mr  Jaddua 
Fyfe,  "nae  doubt  it  was  in  a  benig- 
nant ni.-inncr,  and  in  a  cordial  manner. 
Aye,  aye,  ho  has  nae  his  ill-wand  to 
seek  when  a  customer's  afore  the 
counter, — that's  in  the  way  o'  busi- 
ness." 

" '  I  understand,'  said  his  High- 
ness," continued  ^Mr  Warner,  "  '  you 
are  called  home  upon  the  toleration 
lately  granted  ;  but  I  can  assure  you, 
that  toleration  is  not  granted  for  any 
kindnesB  to  your  party,  but  to  favour 


224 


RINGAN  GILHAIZB. 


the  piipista,  and  to  divide  you  atnon^r 
yoursi'lves;  yet  I  think  you  nmy  bo 
BO  wise  as  to  tiike  pood  of  it,  and  pre- 
vent tiie  evil  tlc'signed,  iind,  instead 
of  dividinff,  come  to  a  better  luimiony 
amoii<,'  yourselves  wiien  you  havo 
liberty  to  see  and  meet  more  freely.'  " 

"To  which,"  said  Mr  Warner,  "  1 
answered,  that  I  heartily  wished  it 
might  prove  so,  and  tliat  nothing 
would  bo  wanting  on  ray  part  to  make 
it  so ;  and  1  added,  the  I'resbyterians 
in  Scotland,  Great  Sir,  are  looked 
upon  as  a  very  despicable  party ;  but 
those  who  do  so  meivsure  thorn  by 
the  appearance  at  I'entland  and  Both- 
well,  as  if  tho  whole  power  of  the 
Presbyterians  had  been  drawn  out 
there ;  but  I  can  assure  your  Highness 
that  such  are  greatly  mistaken ;  for 
many  firm  rresbyterians  were  not 
satisfied  as  to  the  grounds  and  manner 
of  those  risings,  and  did  not  join ; 
and  others  were  borne  down  by  the 
Persecution.  In  verity  1  am  per- 
suaded, that  if  Scotland  were  left  free, 
of  three  parts  of  the  people  two  would 
be  found  Presbyterians.  We  are  in- 
deed a  poor  persecuted  party,  and 
havo  none  under  God  to  look  to  for 
our  help  and  relief  but  your  Highness, 
on  account  of  that  relation  you  and 
the  Princess  have  to  the  crown." 

"  Tiiat  was  going  a  great  length, 
Mr  Warner,"  said  Mr  Chcyne,  the 
town-clerk. 

"  No  a  bit,  no  a  bit,"  cried  I ;  and 
^Ir  Jaddua  Fyfe  gave  me  an  approv- 
ing gloom,  while  Mr  Warner  quietly 
continued— 

"  1  then  urged  many  things,  hoping 
that  the  Lord  would  incline  his  High- 
ness' heart  to  espouse  His  interest  in 
Scotland,  and  befriend  the  persecuted 
Presbyterians.  To  which  tho  Prince 
replied  " — 

"  Aye,  aye,  I  like  to  hear  what  his 
Highness  said,  that's  in  the  way  of 
counselling,"  said  Mr  Jaddua  Fyfe. 

"  The  Priace,"  replied  Mr  War. 


ncr,  "tlien  spoke  to  mo  earnestly, 
saying— 

"  '  I  havo  been  educated  a  Presby- 
terian, and  I  hope  .>-o  to  continue  ;  and 
I  assure  you,  if  over  it  be  in  my 
power,  I  siiall  make  the  Presbyterian 
church-government  the  established 
church-government  of  Scotland,  and 
of  this  you  may  assure  your  friends,  as 
in  prudence  you  find  it  convenient.' " 

Discerning  the  weight  and  intima- 
tion that  were  in  these  words,  1  said, 
when  Mr  Warner  had  made  an  end, 
that  it  was  a  great  thing  to  know 
the  sentiments  of  the  Prince  ;  for  by 
all  signs  the  time  coulil  not  be  far  off 
when  we  would  maybe  require  to  put 
his  assurance  and  promise  to  the  test. 
At  which  words  of  mine  there  were 
many  exchanges  of  gathered  brows 
and  significant  nods,  and  Mr  Jaddua 
Fyfe,  to  whom  I  was  sitting  next, 
slyly  pinched  mo  in  the  elbow ;  all 
which  spoke  plainer  than  elocution, 
that  those  present  were  accorded  with 
mo  in  opinion ;  and  I  gave  inward 
thanks  that  such  a  braird  of  renewed 
courage  and  zeal  was  beginning  to 
Idtlw*  among  us. 

Uesides  Mr  Warner,  many  other 
ministers,  who  had  taken  refuge  in 
foreign  countries,  were  called  liome, 
and  it  began  openly  to  be  tjviked  that 
King  James  would  to  a  surety  bo  set 
aside,  on  account  of  his  malversations 
in  the  kingly  office  in  England,  and 
the  even-down  course  he  was  pursuing 
there,  as  in  Scotland,  to  abolish  all 
property  that  tho  subjects  had  in  tho 
ancient  laws  and  charters  of  the  realm. 
But  the  thing  came  to  no  definite 
head  till  that  jesuit-contrived  device 
for  cutting  out  the  Protestant  heirs  to 
the  crown  was  brought  to  maturity,  by 
palming  a  man-child  upon  the  nation 
as  the  lawful  son  of  the  Tyrant  and 
his  papistical  ^vife. 

In  the  meantime,  I  had  not  been 
idle  in  disseminating  throughout  the 
laud,  by  the  means  of  the  Came- 


RINOAN  GILITAIZE. 


Ulllg 

li  all 
the 

talm. 

linito 
ivice 

Irs  to 
r,by 

lition 
aud 

)een 
the 


roiii.ins,  a  fiiitliful  account  of  what 
IMr  WariRT  liiid  related  of  the  pious 
character  and  Presbyterhin  di.sposi- 
lionH  of  III  I'riuoe  of  Orange;  and 
tlirough  a  correspoudenco  tliat  I 
o])ened  with  Tlionias  Anhnillan, 
IMyuheer  IJentinck  was  kept  so  in- 
formed of  tiie  growing  affection  for 
his  master  in  Scotland,  as  so  em- 
boldened tiio  Prince,  with  what  he 
heard  of  the  inclinations  of  tiie  Eng- 
li.sii  people,  to  prepare  a  great  host 
and  navy  for  the  deliverance  of  the 
kingdoms.  In  tiio  midst  of  these 
Inunan  means  and  stratagems,  the 
bright  right  hand  of  Providence  was 
shiningly  visible ;  for,  by  the  news  of 
the  Prince's  preparations,  it  smote 
the  councils  of  King  James  with 
confusion  and  a  fatal  distraction. 

'Ihough  he  had  so  alienated  the 
Scottish  lieges,  that  none  but  the 
basest  of  men  among  us  acknowledged 
liis  authority,  yet  lie  summoned  all 
his  forces  into  England,  leaving  his 
power  to  be  upheld  here  by  those  only 
wlio  were  vile  enough  to  wish  for  the 
continuance  of  slavery.  Thus  was  the 
way  cleared  for  the  advent  of  the  de- 
liverer, and  the  faithful  nobles  and 
gentry  of  Scotland,  as  the  army  was 
removed,  came  flocking  into  Edin- 
burgh, and  the  Privy  Council,  wliich 
had  been  so  little  slack  in  any  crime, 
durst  not  molent  them,  though  the 
purpose  of  their  being  there  was  a 
treason  which  the  members  could  not 
but  all  well  know.  Everything,  in  a 
word,  was  now  moving  onward  to  a 
great  event ;  all  in  the  land  was  as 
•when  the  thaw  comes,  and  the  ice  is 
breaking,  and  the  snows  melting,  and 
the  waters  flowing,  and  the  rivers  are 
bursting  their  frozen  fetters,  aud  the 
sceptre  of  winter  is  broken,  and  the 
wreck  of  his  domination  is  drifting 
and  perishing  away. 

To  keep  the  Privy  Council  in  the 
confusion  of  the  darkness  of  ignorance, 
I  concerted  with  many  of  the  Came- 


rouians  that  they  should  spread  them- 
selves along  the  highways,  and  inter- 
cept the  Government  expresses  and 
emissaries,  to  the  end  that  neither  the 
King's  faction  in  England  nor  in  Scot- 
laml  might  kjiow  aught  of  the  under- 
takings of  each  otlier ;  and  when 
Thomas  Ardmillan  sent  me,  from 
Mynheer  IJentinck,  the  Prince's  de- 
claration for  Scotland,  I  hastened 
into  the  West  Country,  that  I  might 
exhort  the  covenanted  there  to  be  in 
readiness,  and  from  the  tolbooth  stair 
of  Irvine — yea,  on  the  very  step  where 
my  heart  was  so  pierced  by  the  cries 
of  my  son — I  was  the  first  in  Scotland 
to  publish  that  glorious  pledge  of  our 
deliverance.  On  the  same  d.ay,  at  the 
same  hour,  the  like  was  done  by  others 
of  our  friends  at  Glasgow  and  at  Ayr ; 
and  there  was  shouting,  and  joy,  and 
thanksgiving,  and  the  magnificent 
voice  of  freedom  resounded  through- 
out the  land,  and  ennobled  all  hearts 
again  with  bravery. 

When  the  news  of  the  Prince's 
landing  at  Torbay  arrived,  we  felt 
that  liberty  was  come  ;  but  long  op- 
pression had  made  many  distrustful, 
and  from  day  to  day  rumours  were 
spread  by  the  despairing  members  of 
the  prelatic  sect,  the  breathings  of 
their  wishes,  that  made  us  doubt 
whether  we  ought  to  band  ourselves 
into  any  array  for  warfare.  In  this 
state  of  swithering  and  incertitude  we 
continued  for  some  time,  till  I  began 
to  grow  fearful  lest  the  zeal  which  had 
been  so  rekindled  would  si^ik  and  go 
out  if  not  stirred  a^ain  in  some 
effectual  manner  ;  so  I  conferred  with 
Quintin  Fullarton,  who  in  all  these 
providences  had  been  art  and  part 
with  me,  from  the  day  of  the  meeting 
with  Mr  Kenwick  near  Lasswade ;  and 
as  the  Privy  Council,  when  it  was 
known  the  Prince  had  been  invited 
over,  had  directed  beacons  to  be  raised 
on  the  tops  of  many  mountains,  to  be 
fired  as  signals  of  alarm  for  the  King's 


226 


RINGAN  GTLHAIZE. 


party  when  tlio  Dutcli  fleet  should  bo 
Boon  appi'oaching  tiie  coast,  wo  de- 
vised, as  a  means  for  calling  fortii  the 
strength  and  spirit  of  the  Covenant- 
ers, that  we  should  avail  ourselves  of 
their  preparations. 

Accordingly  we  instructed  four  n- 
lert  young  men,  of  the  Cnnieronian 
societies,  severally  and  unknown  to 
each  other,  to  be  iu  attendance  on  the 
night  of  the  tenth  of  December,  at 
the  beacons  on  the  hills  of  Knock- 
dolian,  Lowthers,  Blacklarg,  and 
Bencairn,  that  they  night  fire  the 
same  if  need  or  signal  should  so 
require,  (iuintin  Fullarton  having 
undertaken  to  kindle  the  one  on 
Mystylaw  himself. 

The  night  was  dark,  but  it  was 
ordained  tiiat  the  air  should  bo  moist 
and  heavy,  and  in  that  state  when  the 
light  of  flume  spreads  farthest.  Mean- 
while fearful  reports  from  Ireland  of 
papistical  intents  to  maintain  the 
cause  of  King  James  made  the  fancies 
of  men  awake  and  full  of  anxieties. 
The  prelatic  curates  were  also  so 
heartened  by  those  rumours  and  tid- 
ings, that  they  began  to  recover  from 
the  dismay  with  which  the  news  of 
the  Prince'a  landing  had  overwhelmed 
them,  and  to  shoot  out  again  the 
horns  of  antichristian  arrogance.  But 
when,  about  three  hours  after  sunset, 
the  beacon  on  the  Mistylaw  was  fired, 
and  when  hill  after  hill  was  lighted 
up,  the  whole  country  was  flUed  with 
such  consternation  and  panic,  that  I 
WRS  myself  smitten  wiUi  the  dread  of 
some  terrible  consequences.  Horse- 
men passed  furiously  in  all  directions 
— bells  were  rung,  and  drums  beat- 
mothers  were  seen  flying  with  their 
children  they  knew  not  whither — cries 
and  lamentaiiuns  echoed  on  every 
side.  The  skies  were  kindleii'  with  a 
red  glare,  and  none  could  tell  where 
the  signal  was  first  shown.  Some 
said  the  Irish  had  landed  and  were 
buruiiig  the  towns  iu  the  south,  and 


no  one  knew  Avhere  to  flco  from  tho 
unknown  and  invisible  enemy. 

In  the  meantime,  our  Covenanters 
of  the  West  assembled  at  their  tryst- 
ing  place,  to  the  number  of  more  than 
six  thousand  armed  men,  ready  and 
girded  for  battle,  and  this  appearance 
was  an  assurance  that  no  power  was 
then  iu  all  the  Lowlands  able  to  gain- 
say such  a  force.;  and  next  day,  wiieu 
it  was  discovered  that  the  alarm  had 
no  real  cause,  it  was  determined  that 
the  prelatic  priests  should  be  openly 
discarded  from  their  parishes.  Our 
vengeance,  however,  was  not  meted 
upon  them  by  the  measure  of  our 
sufferings,  but  by  the  treatment  which 
our  own  pastors  had  borne ;  and, 
considering  how  many  of  them  had 
acted  as  spies  and  accusers  against  us, 
it  is  surprising,  that  of  two  hundred, 
who  were  banished  from  the  parishes, 
few  received  any  cause  of  complaint ; 
even  the  poor  feckless  thing,  Andrew 
Dornock,  was  decently  expelled  from 
the  manse  of  Quharist,  on  promising 
he  would  rover  return. 

This  riddance  of  the  malignants 
was  the  first  fruit  of  the  expulsion  of 
James  Stuart  from  tho  throne  ;  but 
it  was  not  long  till  we  were  menaced 
with  new  and  even  greater  sufferings 
than  wo  had  yet  endured.  For 
though  the  tyrant  had  lied,  he  had 
left  Claverhouse,  under  tho  title  of 
Viscount  Dundee,  behind  him  ;  and 
in  the  fearless  activity  of  that  proud 
and  cruel  warrior,  there  was  an  en- 
gine sufficient  to  have  restored  iiim  to 
his  absolute  throne,  as  I  shall  now 
proceed  to  rehearse. 

The  true  and  faithful  of  tlie  West, 
being  so  instructed  with  respect  to 
their  own  power  and  numbers,  stood 
in  no  reverence  of  any  force  that  tho 
remnants  of  the  Tyrant's  sect  and 
faction  could  afford  to  send  against 
them.  I  tlioreforo  resolved  to  return 
to  Edinburgh ;  for  the  longing  of  my 
grandfather's  spirit  to  see  the  current 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


22:7 


and  course  of  public  events  flowing 
from  their  fountain -hcacl,  was  upon 
ine,  anil  I  liacl  not  yet  so  satisfied  the 
yearnings  of  justice  as  to  be  able  to 
look  again  on  the  ashes  of  my  house 
and  the  tomb  of  Sarah  Loci)rig  and 
lur  daugiiters.  Accordingly,  soon 
after  the  turn  of  the  year  1  went 
thitlicr,  where  1  found  all  things  in 
uncertainty  and  conunotion. 

(;iaveriiou.sc,  or,  as  he  was  now 
titled,  Lord  Dundee,  with  tliat  scorn 
of  public  opinion  and  defect  of  all 
principle,  save  only  a  canine  fidelity, 
a  dog's  love,  to  his  papistical  master, 
domineered  with  his  dragoons,  as  if 
he  himself  had  been  regnant  monarch 
of  Scotland ;  and  it  was  plain  and 
probable,  that  unless  he  was  soon 
bridled,  he  would  speedily  act  upon 
the  wider  stage  of  the  kingdom  the 
same  Mahound-like  part  which  he  had 
played  in  the  jirenticeship  of  his 
cruelties  of  the  shire  of  Ayr.  The 
peril,  indeed,  from  his  courage  and 
activity,  was  made  to  me  very  evident, 
by  a  conversation  that  1  had  with  one 
])avid  ^lidiUeton,  who  had  come  from 
Englimd  on  some  business  of  the 
Jacobites  there,  in  connection  with 
Dundee. 

Providence  led  mo  to  fall  in  with 
this  person  one  morning,  as  we  were 
standing  among  a  crowd  of  other 
onlookers,  seeing  Claverhouso  review- 
ing his  men  iu  the  front  court  of 
Holyrood-house.  I  happened  to  re- 
mark, for  in  sooth  it  must  be  so 
owned,  that  the  Viscount  had  a  brave 
though  a  proud  look,  and  that  his 
voice  had  the  manliness  of  one  or- 
dained to  command, 

"  Yes,'"  replied  David  IMiddleton, 
"he's  a  born  soldier,  and  if  the  King 
is  to  be  restored,  he  is  the  man  that 
will  do  it.  When  his  Majes'v  was  at 
liochester,  Ix^fore  going  to  France,  1 
was  there  with  my  master,  and  being 
called  iu  to  mend  the  fire,  I  heard 
Dundee  aud  my  Lord,  thcu  with  the 


King,    discoursing    concerning    tho 
royal  affairs. 

"  '  The  question,'  said  Lord  Dun- 
dee to  his  ^lajesty,  '  is,  whether  you 
shall  stay  in  England  or  go  to  France? 
My  opinion,  sir,  is,  that  you  should 
stay  in  England,  make  your  stand 
here,  and  sunnnon  your  subjects  to 
your  allegiance.  'Tis  true,  you  have 
disbanded  your  army,  but  give  mc 
leave,  and  1  will  undertake  to  get  ten 
thousand  men  of  it  together,  and 
march  through  all  England  with  your 
standard  at  their  head,  and  drive  tho 
Dutch  before  you  ; '  and,"  added 
David  Middleton,  "  let  him  have  time, 
and  1  doubt  not,  that,  even  without 
the  King's  leave,  he  will  do  as  much." 

"Whether  the  man  in  this  did  brag 
of  a  knowledge  that  he  had  not,  tho 
story  seemed  so  likely,  that  it  could 
scarcely  be  questioned  ;  so  I  con- 
sultetl  with  my  faithful  friend  and 
companion,  (^uintin  Fidlarton,  and 
other  men  of  weight  among  the 
Camerouians ;  and  we  agreed,  that 
those  of  the  societies  who  were  scat- 
tered along  the  borders  to  intercept 
the  correspondence  between  tiie  Eng- 
lisii  and  Scottish  Jacobites,  should  bo 
called  into  Edinburgh  to  daunt  tho 
rampageous  insolence  of  Claverhouso. 

This  was  done  accordingly  ;  and 
from  the  day  that  they  began  to  ap- 
pear iu  the  streets,  the  bravery  of 
those  who  were  with  him  seemed  to 
slacken.  Rut  still  he  carried  himself 
as  boldly  as  ever,  and  persuaded  the 
Duke  of  Gordon,  then  governor  of 
the  castle,  not  to  surrender,  nor  obey 
any  mandate  from  the  Convention  of 
the  States,  by  whom,  in  that  inter- 
regnum, the  rule  of  the  kingdom  wa=i 
exercised.  Still,  however,  the  Came 
ronians  were  coming  in,  and  their 
numbers  became  so  manifest,  tliatthe 
dragoons  Avere  backward  to  show 
themselves.  Dut  their  commander 
affected  not  to  value  us,  till  one  day 
a  singular  thing  took  place,  which,  iu 


228 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


its  issues,  ended  the  overawing  inllu- 
enco  of  his  presence  in  Edinburgh. 

I  happened  to  be  standing  with 
Qiiintin  FuUurton,  and  some  four  or 
five  otiier  Camoronians,  at  an  entry- 
moutli  forenent  tiie  Canongate-cro^s, 
•wlion  Claverhouse,  and  that  tool  of 
tjM-anny,  Sir  George  Mackenzie  the 
advocate,  were  coming  up  from  the 
pahice  ;  and  as  tliey  passed,  tiie  Vis- 
count looked  hard  at  me,  and  said  to 
Sir  George — 

"  I  have  somewhere  seen  tliat 
doure  cur  before." 

Sir  George  turned  round  also  to 
look,  and  I  said — 

■'It's  true,  Claverhouse, — we  mot 
at  Driiniclog  ;  "  and  I  toui:hed  my  arm 
that  he  liad  wounded  there,  adding, 
"  and  the  blood  shed  that  day  has  not 
yet  been  paid  for." 

At  tliese  words  ho  made  a  rush 
upon  me  witii  his  sword,  but  my 
friends  were  nimbler  with  tlieirs ; 
and  Sir  George  INIackcnzie  interpos- 
ing, drew  him  off,  and  they  went 
away  together. 

The  affair,  however,  ended  not 
here.  Sir  George,  with  the  subtlety 
of  a  lawyer,  tried  to  turn  it  to  some 
account,  and  making  a  great  ado  of  it, 
as  a  design  to  assassinate  I^ord  Dundee 
r-  'l  himself,  tried  to  get  the  Conven- 
tion to  order  all  strangers  to  remove 
from  the  town.  This,  however,  Avas 
refused ;  so  that  Claverhouse,  seeing 
how  the  spirit  of  the  times  was  going 
among  the  membo'-s,  and  tlie  boldness 
with  which  tlie  Presbyterians  and  tlie 
Covenanters  were  daily  bearding  his 
arrogance,  withdrew  with  his  dragoons 
from  the  city,  and  made  for  Stirling. 

In  tills  retreat  from  P'dinburgh  lie 
blow  the  trumpet  of  civil  war  ;  but  in 
less  than  two  iioursfrom  the  signal,  a 
regiment  of  eiglit  liundred  Came- 
ronians  wns  arrayed  in  tlie  High 
Street.  The  son  of  Argyle,  who  iiad 
taken  his  seat  in  the  Convention  as  a 
peer,  eoou  after  gathered  three  liuu- 


dred  of  the  Campbells,  and  the  safety 
of  Scotland  now  seemed  to  be  secured 
by  the  arrival  of  Mackay  witli  three 
Scotch  regiments,  tlien  in  tlie  Dutch 
service,  and  which  tlie  Prince  of 
Orange  had  brought  with  him  to 
Torbay. 

By  the  retreat  of  Claverhouse  the 
Jacobite  party  in  Elinburfrh  were 
so  disheartened,  and  any  endeavour 
wliich  they  afterwards  made  to  rally 
was  so  crazed  witli  consternation, 
that  it  was  plain  the  scejitre  had  de- 
parted from  their  master.  The  capacity 
as  well  as  the  jiower  for  any  effectual 
action  was  indeed  evidently  taken 
from  them,  and  the  ploughshare  was 
driven  over  the  ruins  of  their  cause  on 
the  ever-memorable  eleventh  day  of 
Ajiril,  when  William  and  Mary  were 
proclaimed  King  and  (iueen. 

But  though  thus  the  oppressor  waa 
cact  down  from  his  throne,  and  though 
thus,  in  Scotland,  the  chief  agents  in 
the  work  of  deliverance  were  the  out- 
lawed Cameronians,  as  instructed  by 
me,  the  victory  could  not  be  complete, 
nor  the  trophies  hung  up  in  the  hall, 
while  the  Tyrant  possessed  an  instru- 
ment of  such  edge  and  temper  as 
Claverhouse.  As  for  myself,  I  felfc 
that  wliile  the  homicide  lived  the  debt 
of  justice  and  of  blood  due  to  my 
martyred  family  could  never  be  satis- 
fied ;  and  I  heard  of  his  passing  from 
Stirling  into  the  Highlands,  and  the 
wonders  he  was  working  for  tlio 
.Jacobite  cause  there,  as  if  nothing 
had  yet  been  achieved  toward  the  ful- 
filment of  my  avenging  vow. 


CIIAPTEPv   XXXI. 

Wm:\  Claverhouse  left  Stirbi..r,  iio 
had  but  sixty  lior.se.  :n  little  '.I'.nro 
tiiaii  a  month  he  was  at  the  he-.-l  [ 
seventeen  iiundred  men.  He  obtained 
reinforcements  from  Ireland.  The 
Macdoualds,  aud  tho  Camerons,  and 


TT 


ll 


HINGAN  GILHATZE. 


229 


«■■■■ 


tlie  Gordons,  were  all  his.  A  vassal 
of  tlio  Alarquis  of  Athol  had  declared 
for  iiim  even  in  the  castle  of  Blair, 
and  defended  it  against  the  clan  of 
liis  master.  An  event  still  more 
stiange  was  produced  by  the  spell  of 
his  presence, — the  clansmen  of  Athol 
deserted  their  cliief,  and  joined  his 
standard.  lie  kindled  the  hills  in  his 
cause,  and  all  the  life  of  the  North 
was  gathering  around  him. 

Mackay,  with  the  Covenanters,  the 
regiments  from  Holland,  and  the 
Cameronians,  went  from  Perth  to  op- 
pose his  entrance  into  the  Lowlands. 
The  minds  of  men  were  suspended. 
Should  he  defeat  Al.ackay,  it  was  plain 
that  the  crown  would  soon  be  restored 
to  James  Stuart,  and  the  woes  of 
Scotland  come  again. 

In  tliat  dismal  juncture  I  was  alone ; 
for  (iuintin  Fullarton,  with  all  the 
Cameronians,  was  with  INIackay. 

I  was  an  old  man,  verging  on 
threescore. 

I  went  to  and  fro  in  the  streets 
of  Edinburgh  all  day  long,  inquiring 
of  every  stranger  the  news  ;  and  every 
ansAver  that  I  got  was  some  new 
triumph  of  Dundee. 

No  sleej)  came  to  my  burning 
^.lillow,  or  if  indeed  my  eyelids  for 
very  weariness  fell  down,  it  was  only 
that  1  might  suffer  the  stings  of 
an.xi'ly  in  some  sharper  form;  for 
my  drrams  were  of  llames  kindling 
around  me,  through  which  I  saw  be- 
hind tiie  proud  and  exulting  visage  of 
Dundee. 

Sometimes  in  the  deptlis  of  tlie 
night  I  rushed  into  the  street,  and  I 
listened  with  greedy  ears,  tliinking  I 
heard  the  trampling  of  dragoons  and 
the  heavy  wheels  of  cannon ;  and 
often  in  the  day,  when  I  saw  three  or 
four  persons  speaking  together,  I  ran 
towards  them,  and  broke  in  upon  their 
discourse  with  some  wild  interrogation 
that  made  them  answer  mo  with  pity. 

liut  tho  haste  and  frenzy  of  thia 


alarm  suddenly  changed :  I  felt  that 
I  was  a  chosen  instrument :  I  thought 
that  the  ruin  which  had  fallen  on  me 
and  mine  was  assuredly  some  great 
mystery  of  Providence  :  I  remembered 
the  prophecy  of  my  grandfather,  that 
a  task  was  in  store  for  me,  though  I 
knew  not  what  it  was ;  I  forgot  my  old 
age  and  my  infirmities ;  I  hastened  to 
my  chamber;  I  put  money  in  my 
purse  ;  I  spoke  to  no  one ;  I  bought  a 
carabine ;  and  I  set  out  alone  to  re- 
inforce Mackay. 

As  I  passed  down  the  street,  and 
out  at  the  \\'est  Port,  I  saw  the  people 
stop  and  look  at  me  with  silence  and 
wonder.  As  I  went  along  the  road, 
several  that  were  passing  inquired 
where  I  was  going  so  fast?  but  I 
waved  my  hand  and  hurried  by. 

I  reached  the  (iueensferry  without, 
as  it  were,  drawing  breath.  I  em- 
barked ;  and  when  the  boat  arrived  at 
the  northern  side  I  had  fallen  asleep  ; 
and  the  ferryman,  in  compassion,  al- 
lowed me  to  slumber  unmolested. 
AVhen  I  awoke  I  felt  myself  refreshed. 
I  leapt  on  shore,  and  went  again  im- 
patiently on. 

I>ut  my  mind  was  then  somewhat 
calmer;  and  when  I  reached  Kinross 
I  bought  a  little  broad,  and  retiring  to 
the  briuk  of  the  lake,  dipped  it  in  tho 
water,  and  it  was  a  savoury  repast. 

As  I  approached  the  Brigg  of 
Earn  I  felt  age  in  my  limbs,  and 
though  the  spirit  was  willing,  the  body 
could  n(it  ;  and  I  sat  down,  find  I 
mourned  that  I  was  so  frail  and  so 
feeble.  But  a  marvellous  vigour  was 
soon  again  given  to  me,  and  1  rose 
refreshed  from  my  resting  place  on 
the  wall  of  the  bridge,  and  the  same 
night  1  reached  Pertli.  I  sto[)j)ed  iu 
a  stabler's  till  the  n'orning.  At  break 
of  day,  having  hired  a  horse  from  him, 
L  hastened  forward  to  Dunkeld,  Avhero 
he  told  me  Alaokay  liad  encamped  tiio 
day  before,  on  his  way  to  defend  tho 
pass  of  Killicrankie. 


230 


RINGAN  GILHAIZE. 


•iver, 
p  of 
f  liad 
iMackay 


The  road  was  throntyed  -with 
•u'onieii  and  children  flocking  into 
rortli  in  terror  of  the  Iliglilanders, 
but  I  heeded  them  not.  I  had  but 
one  thought,  and  tliat  was  to  reach 
the  scene  of  war  and  C  '  '(.'•house. 

On  arriving  at  the  1(  • 
the  field  in  front  of  the 
Dunkeld's  house,  where  the 
been  encamped,  was  empty. 
had  marched  towards  Blair- Athol,  to 
drive  Dundee  and  the  Iligldanders, 
if  possible,  back  into  the  glens  and 
mosses  of  the  North ;  for  he  had  learnt 
that  his  own  force  greatly  exceeded 
his  adversary's. 

On  hearing  this,  and  my  horse 
being  in  need  of  bating,  I  halted  at 
the  ferry-house  before  crossing  the 
Tay,  assured  by  the  boatman  that  I 
should  be  able  to  overtake  the  army 
long  before  it  could  reach  the  nieet- 
ing  of  ihe  Tummel  and  the  Gary. 
And  so  it  proved  ;  for,  as  I  came  to 
that  turn  of  the  road  where  the  Tum- 
mel pours  its  roaring  waters  into  the 
Tay,  I  heard  the  echoing  of  a  trumjiet 
among  the  mountains,  and  soon  after 
saw  the  army  winding  its  toilsome 
course  along  the  river's  brink,  slowly 
and  heavily,  fis  the  chariots  of  Pliaroah 
laboured  through  the  sands  of  the 
IJe.sert,  and  the  appearance  of  the  long 
array  was  as  the  many-coloured  woods 
that  skirt  the  rivers  in  autumn. 

On  the  right  hand,  hills,  and  rocks, 
and  trees  rose  like  the  ruin?*  of  the 
ramparts  of  some  ancient  world,  and 
I  thought  of  the  epochs  when  the  days 
of  the  children  of  men  were  a  thousand 
years,  and  when  giants  were  on  the 
earth,  and  all  were  swept  away  by  the 
flood,  an<l  I  ftlt  as  if  I  beheld  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  in  the  cloiul  weigh- 
ing the  things  of  time  in  His  scales, 
to  see  if  the  sins  of  the  world  were 
indeed  become  again  so  great  as  that 
the  cause  of  (Jlaverhouso  should  bo 
suffered  to  prevail.  For  my  spirit  was 
as  a  flame  that  blazcth  iu  tho  wind, 


and  my  thoughts  as  the  sparks  that 
shoot  and  soar  for  a  moment  towards 
the  skies  Avith  a  glorious  splendour, 
and  drop  down  upon  the  earth  iu 
ashes. 

General  Mackay  halted  the  host  on 
a  spacious  green  plain  which  lies  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Tummel  and  the 
Gary,  and  which  the  Highlander.^  call 
Faseali,  because,  as  the  name  in  their 
tongue  signifies,  no  trees  are  growing 
thereon.  This  place  is  the  threshold 
of  the  Pass  of  KiUicrankie,  through 
the  dark  and  woody  chasms  of  which 
the  impatient  waters  of  the  Gary  come 
with  hoarse  and  wrathful  mutterings 
and  murmurs.  The  hills  and  moun- 
tains around  are  built  up  in  more 
olden  and  antic  forms  than  tliose  of 
our  Lowland  parts,  and  a  wild  and 
strange  solemnity  is  mingled  there 
with  much  fantastical  beauty,  as  if, 
according  to  the  minstreli^y  of  ancient 
times,  sullen  wizards  and  gamesome 
fairies  had  joined  their  arts  and  spells 
to  make  a  common  dwelling-place. 

As  the  soldiers  spread  themselves 
over  the  green  bosom  of  Faseali,  and 
piled  their  arms  and  furled  their  ban- 
ners, and  laid  their  drums  on  the 
ground,  and  led  their  horses  to  the 
river,  the  General  sent  forward  a  scout 
through  the  Pass  to  discover  the  move- 
ments of  Claverhouse,  having  heard 
that  he  was  coming  from  the  castle  of 
Blair-Athol,  to  prevent  his  entrance 
into  the  Highlands. 

The  ollicer  sent  to  make  the  e?]-)ial 
had  not  been  gone  above  half  an  hour 
when  he  came  back  in  great  liastc>  to 
tell  that  the  Highlanders  were  on  the 
brow  of  a  hill  above  the  house  of  llin- 
rorie,  and  that  unless  the  Pass  was 
immediately  taken  possession  of,  it 
would  be  mastered  by  Claverhouse 
that  night. 

Mackay,  at  this  news,  ordered  tho 
trumpets  to  sound,  and  as  the  echoes 
multiplied  and  repeated  the  alarum,  it 
was  aa  if  nil  the  spirits  of  tho  hills 


r 


niNGAN  GILHAIZE. 


231 


called  tho  men  to  arms.  Tho  soldiers 
looked  around  as  they  formed  tlicir 
ranks,  listeniiiff  with  delight  and  won- 
der at  tho  universal  bravery,  and  I 
thought  of  the  sight,  which  Elisha 
the  prophet  gave  to  tho  young  man 
at  Dothan,  of  the  mountains  covered 
with  horses  and  cliariots  of  fire  for 
Jiis  defence  against  tlie  iiost  of  tlie 
King  of  Syria,  and  I  went  forward 
with  tho  confidence  of  assured  victory. 
As  wc  issued  forth  from  tho  Pass 
into  tho  wide  country,  extending  to- 
wards Ludc  and.  Blair-Athol,  we  saw, 
as  the  ofiicer  had  reported,  the  High- 
land hosts  of  Claverliouse  arrayed 
along  the  lofty  brow  of  the  mountain, 
above   the  house   of  llinrorie,  their 

f)lai(l3  waving  in  tho  breezo  on  the 
lill,  and  their  arms  glittering  in  the 
sun. 

^Mackay  directed  tlie  troops,  at 
crossing  a  raging  brook  called  Girnaig, 
to  keep  along  a  fiat  of  Imd  above  the 
house  of  llinrorio,  and  to  form,  in 
order  of  battle,  on  tlio  field  beyond 
tile  garden,  and  under  the  hill  v.  lare 
tho  Highlanders  were  posted ;  tho 
baggage  and  camp  equipages,  ho  at 
tho  same  time  ordered  down  into  a 
plain  that  lies  between  the  bank  on 
the  crown  of  whicli  the  house  stands 
and  the  river  Gary.  An  ancient 
monunieutal  stone  in  the  middle  of 
tho  lower  plain  shows,  that  in  some 
earlier  age  a  battle  had  been  fought 
there,  and  that  some  warrior  of  might 
and  fame  had  fallen. 

In  taking  his  ground  on  that  ele- 
vated sliolf  of  land,  IMackay  was 
minded  to  stretch  liis  left  wing  to  in- 
toreept  the  return  of  tho  lligldanders 
towanla  r>lair,  atul,  if  po«sibIo,  oblige 
tliem  to  enter  tho  I'ass  of  Killicrankie, 
by  wl)ich  ho  would  liavo  cut  thoni  off 
from  tlieir  resoiirces  in  the  iS'ortli, 
and  so  periiajis  mastered  tiiem  with- 
out any  great  slaugliter. 

lint  Claverhouse  discerned  the  in- 
tent of  his  movement,  and  before  our 


covenanted  host  had  formed  their 
array,  it  was  evident  that  ho  was  pre- 
paring to  descend  ;  and  as  a  foretaste 
of  the  vehemence  wherewith  tho 
Highlanders  were  coming,  we  saw 
them  rolling  large  stones  to  the  brow 
of  the  hill. 

In  the  meantime  the  house  of 
Rinrorie  having  been  deserted  by  the 
family,  the  lady,  with  her  children 
and  maidens,  had  fled  to  Lude  or 
Struan,  Mackay  ordered  a  party  to 
take  possession  of  it,  and  to  post 
themselves  at  the  windows  which  look 
up  the  hill.  I  was  among  tiiose  who 
went  into  the  house,  and  my  station 
was  at  the  eastermost  window,  in  a 
small  chamber  which  is  entered  by 
two  doors, — the  one  opening  from 
the  stair-head,  and  the  other  from  tho 
drawing-room.  In  this  situation  wo 
could  see  but  little  of  tho  distribution 
of  the  army  or  tlie  positions  tliat 
Mackay  was  taking,  for  our  view  was 
cont  ed  to  the  face  of  the  hill  whereon 
tho  Highlanders  were  busily  prejiaring 
for  their  descent.  But  I  saw  Claver- 
house on  horseback  riding  to  and  fro, 
and  plainly  iuflaniing  their  valour  with 
many  a  courageous  gesture;  and  as* 
he  turned  and  winded  his  prancing 
war-horse,  his  breastplate  blazed  to 
the  setting  sun  like  a  beacon  on  the 
hill. 

When  he  had  seemingly  concluded 
his  exhortation,  the  Highlanders 
stooped  forward,  .and  hurled  down  tho 
rocks  which  they  had  gathered  for 
their  forerunners;  and  wliilo  the 
stones  came  leaping  and  bounding 
with  a  noiso  like  thundor,  tho  men 
followed  in  thick  and  separate  bands, 
and  Mackay  gave  the  signal  to  com- 
mence firing. 

Wc  Haw  from  the  windows  many 
of  the  Highlanders,  at  the  first  volley, 
stagger  and  fall,  but  the  others  came 
furiously  down ;  and  before  tho  sol- 
diers had  time  to  stick  their  bayonet'^ 
into  their  guns,  tho  broad  swords  of 


232 


RING  AN  GILHATZE. 


the  Clansmen  hewed  hundreds  to  the 
ground. 

Within  a  few  minutes  the  battle 
was  general  between  the  two  arniios ; 
but  the  smoke  of  the  firing  involved 
all  the  field,  and  we  could  see  nothing 
from  the  windows.  The  ecb.oes  of 
the  mountains  raged  with  the  din,  and 
the  sounds  were  multiplied  by  them 
in  so  many  diflfereut  places,  that  we 
could  not  tell  wliere  the  fight  was 
hottest.  The  whole  country  around 
resounded  as  with  the  uproar  of  a 
universal  battle. 

I  felt  the  passion  of  my  spirit 
return;  I  could  no  longer  restrain 
myself,  nor  remain  where  I  was. 
Snatching  up  my  carabine,  T  left  my 
actionless  post  at  the  window,  and 
hurried  down  stairs,  and  out  of  tlie 
house.  I  saw  by  the  flashes  through 
the  smoke,  that  t!ie  firing  was  fpread- 
ing  down  into  the  plain  where  the 
baggage  was  stationed,  and  by  this  I 
knew  that  there  was  some  movement 
in  the  battle;  but  whether  tlie  High- 
landers or  the  Covenanters  were  shift- 
ing their  ground,  I  could  not  discover, 
for  tiie  valley  was  filled  with  smoke, 
and  it  was  only  at  times  that  a  sword, 
like  a  glance  of  liglitning,  could  be 
seen  in  the  cloud  wherein  tlie  thun- 
ders and  tempest  of  the  conflict  were 
raging. 

As  I  stood  on  the  brow  of  the 
bank  in  front  of  llinrorie-house,  a 
gentle  breathing  of  the  evening  air 
turned  the  smoke  like  the  travelling 
mist  of  the  hills,  and  opening  it  here 
and  there,  I  had  glimpses  of  tlie 
fighting.  Sometimes  1  saw  the  High- 
landers driving  the  Covenanters  down 
the  steep,  and  sometimes  I  beheld  them 
in  their  turn  on  the  ground  endea- 
vouring to  protect  their  unbonneted 
heads  with  their  targets,  but  to  whom 
the  victory  was  to  l3e  given  I  could 
discern  no  sign  ;  and  I  said  to  myself, 
the  priz"  at  hazard  is  the  liberty  of  the 
land  and  the  Lord ;  surely  it  shall  not 


be  permitted  to  the  champion  of 
bondage  to  prevail. 

A  stronger  breathing  of  the  g<ale 
came  rushing  along,  and  the  skirts  of 
the  smoke  where  the  bafrgage  stood 
were  blown  aside,  and  1  beiield  many 
of  the  Highlanders  among  the  waggor.s 
plundering  and  tearing.  Then  1  heard 
a  great  shouting  on  the  right,  and 
looking  that  Avay,  I  saw  the  children 
of  the  Covenant  fleeing  in  remnants 
across  the  lower  plain,  and  making 
towards  the  river.  Presently  I  also 
saw  Mackay  with  two  regiments,  all 
that  kept  the  order  of  discipline,  also 
in  the  plain.  He  had  lost  the  battle. 
Claverhouse  had  won ;  and  tho 
scattered  firing,  Avliich  was  continued 
by  a  few,  was  to  my  ears  as  the  rivet- 
ting  of  the  shackles  on  the  arms  of 
poor  Scotland  for  ever.  My  grief  was 
unspeakable. 

I  ran  to  and  fro  on  tho  brow  of 
the  hill — and  I  stamped  with  my  feet 
— and  I  beat  my  breast — and  I  rubbeil 
my  hands  with  the  frenzy  of  despair 
— and  1  threw  myself  on  the  ground 
— and  all  the  sufferings  of  which  I 
have  written  returned  njion  me — and 
1  started  up  and  I  cried  aloud  tho 
blasphemy  of  the  fool,  "There  is  no 
God." 

But  scarcely  had  the  dreadful  words 
escaped  my  profane  lips,  when  I  heard, 
as  it  were,  tlumders  in  the  heavens, 
and  the  voice  of  an  oracle  crying  in 
the  ears  of  my  soul,  ''The  victory  of 
this  (lay  is  given  into  thy  hands  !  " 
and  strange  wonder  and  awe  fell  upon 
me,  and  a  mighty  spirit  entered  into 
mine,  and  I  felt  as  if  I  was  in  that 
moment  clothed  with  the  armour  of 
divine  might. 

I  took  up  my  carabine,  which  in 
these  trans])orts  had  fallen  from  my 
hand,  and  1  went  round  the  gable  of 
the  house  into  llie  garden— ami  I  saw 
Claverhouse  with  several  of  his  ollicers 
coming  along  the  ground  by  which 
our  hosts  had  marched  to  their  posi- 


RINGAN  GILHATZE. 


233 


auon    turning 


tion — and  ever  and 
round  and  exhorting  his  men  to  follow 
hirn.  It  was  evident  ho  was  making 
for  the  Pass  to  intercept  our  scattered 
fugitives  frona  escaping  that  way. 

The  garden  in  which  I  then  stood 
was  surrounded  by  a  low  wall.  A 
small  goose-pool  lay  on  tiio  outside, 
between  which  and  the  garden  I  per- 
ceived that  Claverliouse  would  pass. 

I  prepared  my  Hint  and  examined 
my  fire-lock,  and  I  walked  towards 
the  top  of  the  garden  with  a  firm  step. 
The  ground  was  buoyant  to  my  tread, 
and  the  vigour  of  youth  was  renewed 
in  my  aged  limbs :  I  thought  that 
those  for  whom  1  had  so  mourned 
walked  before  me — that  they  smiled 
and  beckoned  me  to  come  on,  and 
that  a  glorious  light  shone  around 
me. 

Claverhouse  was  coming  forward — 
several  officers  were  near  him,  but  liis 
men  were  still  a  little  behind,  and 
seemed  inclined  to  go  down  the  hill, 
and  he  chided  at  their  reluctance.  I 
rested  my  carabine  on  the  garden-wall. 
I  bent  my  knee  and  knelt  upon  the 
ground.  I  aimed  and  fired, — but 
when  the  smoke  cleared  away  I  be- 
held the  oppressor  still  proudly  on 
his  war-horse. 

I  loaded  again,  again  I  knelt,  and 
again  rested  my  carabine  upon  the 
wall,  and  fired  a  second  time,  and  was 
again  disappointed. 

Then  1  remembered  that  1  had  not 
implored  the  help  of  Heaven,  and  I 
prepared  for  the  third  time,  and  when 
all  was  ready,  and  Claverhouse  was 
coming  forward,  I  took  off  my  bon- 
net, .and  kneeling  with  the  gun  in  my 
hand,  cried,  ''  liOrd,  reiiiembur  David 
and  all  his  aiUictions ;  "  and  hav- 
ing so  prayed,  1  took  aim  as  I  knelt, 
and  Claverliouse  raising  his  arm  in 
connnand,  I  lired.  In  the  same  mo- 
ment I  looked  up,  and  there  was  a 


vision  in  the  air  as  if  all  the  angels  of 
brightness,  and  tho  martyrs  in  their 
vestments  of  glory,  were  assembled  on 
the  walls  and  battlements  of  heaven 
to  witness  the  event, — and  I  started 
up  and  cried,  "I  have  delivered  my 
native  land  ! "  But  in  the  same  in- 
stant I  remembered  to  whom  the 
glory  was  duo,  and  falling  again  on 
my  knees,  I  raised  my  hands  and 
bowed  my  h-jad  as  I  said,  "Not 
mine,  O  Lord,  but  thine  is  the  vic- 
tory 1 " 

When  tho  smoke  rolled  away  I 
belield  Claverhouse  in  the  arms  of  his 
oflicers,  sinking  from  his  horse,  and 
the  blood  flowing  from  a  Avouud  be- 
tween the  breast-plate  and  the  arm- 
pit. The  same  night  he  was  sum- 
moned te  the  audit  of  his  crimes. 

It  was  not  observed  by  the  officers 
from  what  quarter  the  summoning 
bolt  of  justice  came,  but  thinking  ic 
was  from  the  house,  every  window 
was  instantly  attacked,  while  I  delibe- 
rately retired  from  the  spot, — and, 
till  the  protection  of  the  darkness 
enabled  me  to  make  my  escape  across 
the  (jary,  and  over  the  hills  in  the 
direction  I  saw  Mackay  and  the  rem- 
nants of  the  flock  taking,  I  concealed 
myself  among  the  bushes  and  rocks 
that  overhung  tho  violent  stream  of 
the  Girnaig. 

Thus  was  my  avenging  vow  ful- 
filled,— and  thus  was  my  native  land 
delivered  from  bondage.  For  a  time 
yet  there  may  be  rumours  and  blood- 
siied,  but  they  will  prove  as  the  wreck 
which  the  waves  roll  to  the  shore 
after  a  tempest.  The  fortunes  of  tho 
papistical  Stuarts  are  foundered  for- 
ever. Never  again  in  this  land  shall 
any  king,  of  his  own  caprice  and  pre- 
rogative, dare  to  violate  the  conscience 
of  the  pi'ople. 

Qtt/iaviit,  5lh  Xovember,  1000, 


POSTSCRIPT. 


i 


It  does  not  seem  to  be,  aa  yet,  very 
generally  understood  by  the  critics  in 
the  South,  that,  independently  of 
phraseology,  there  is  such  an  idiomatic 
difference  in  the  structure  of  the 
national  dialects  of  England  and  Scot- 
land, that  very  good  Scotch  might  be 
couched  in  the  purest  English  terms, 
mid  without  the  employment  of  a 
single  Scottish  word. 

In  reviewing  the  Memoirs  of  that 
worshipful  personage.  Provost  Pawkie, 
some  objection  has  been  made  to  the 
style,  as  being  neither  Scotch  nor 
English, — not  Scotch,  because  the 
words  are  English, — and  not  English, 
because  the  forms  of  speech  are 
Scottish.  What  has  been  thus  re- 
garded as  a  fault  by  some,  others 
acquainted  with  the  peculiarities  of 
tho  language  may  be  led  to  consider 
OS  a  beauty. 

But  however  proper  the  Scottish 
dialect  may  have  been  in  a  composi- 
tion so  local  as  "The  Provost,"  it 
may  be  urged,  that,  in  a  work  like  the 
present,  Avbcre  something  of  a  histori- 
cal character  is  attempted,  the  English 
language  would  have  been  a  more 
dignified  vehicle.  Why  it  should  be 
BO  is  not  very  obvious ;  at  all  events, 
the  Author  thinks  the  style  he  has 
adopted,  in  expressing  sentiments  and 
feelings  entirely  Scottish,  ought  not 
to  be  objected  to  in  point  of  good 
taste.  Should  the  objection,  how- 
ever, be  made,  he  has  an  answer 
in  tho  words  of  tho  celebrated 
Titian :~ 


It  happened  one  day,  says  Antonio 
Perez  in  his  Memoirs,  that  Francisco 
de  Vargas,  ambassador  from  Charles 
V.  to  the  Republic  of  Venice,  remon- 
strated with  the  paihter  against  hia 
broad  and  coarse  pencilling,  so  unlike 
tho  delicate  touches  of  the  great 
artists  of  that  time: — "Senor,"  re- 
plied Titian,  "  yo  desconfi^  de  llegar 
k  la  delicadeza  y  primor  del  pinzel  do 
Michael  Angelo,  Urbino,  Corregio,  y 
Parmisano,  y  que  quando  bien  llegasse, 
seria.  estimado  tras  ellos,  6  tenido  por 
imitador  dellos ;  y  la  ambi9ion  natural, 
no  menos  a  mi  Arte  que  i\  las  otras, 
me  hizo  echar  por  camino  nuevo,  quo 
me  hi.^iesso  9elebre  en  algo,  como 
los  otros  lo  fueron  por  el  que  sig- 
nieron." 

Another  misconception  also  pre- 
vails in  the  South,  witn  respect  to  tho 
Scottish  political  character.  From 
the  time  of  the  North  Briton  of  the 
unprincipled  Wilkes,  a  notion  has 
been  entertained  that  the  moral  spine 
in  Scotland  is  more  flexible  than  in 
England.  The  truth,  however,  is  that 
an  elementary  difference  exists  in  tho 
public  feelings  of  the  two  nations 
quite  as  great  as  in  the  idioms  of  their 
respective  dialects.  The  English  are 
a  justice -loving  people,  according  to 
charter  and  statute ;  the  Scotch  are  A 
wrong-resenting  race,  according  to 
right  and  feeling;  and  the  character 
of  liberty  among  them  takes  ita  Aspect 
from  that  peculiarity. 

Colonel  Stewart,  in  his  curious  and 
complete  work  oa  the  Highlands,  haA 


236 


POSTSCrlPT. 


shown,  that  even  tlie  clans,  among 
whom  tlie  doctnuos  and  affections  of 
hereditary  rigiit  i\rc  still  cherished 
more  than  ever  they  were  ia  England 
at  any  period,  hold  themselves  free  to 
change  their  chieftains.  It  is  so  with 
the  nation  in  general.  Monarchy  is 
an  indestructible  principle  in  our 
notions  of  civil  government;  and 
though  we  anciently  exercised  tlie 
right  of  changing  our  kings  pretty 
freely,  Cromwell  found  it  necessary 
to  overrun  the  kingdom  with  an  army 
to  obtain  the  grudged  acquiescence 
which  was  yielded  to  the  Anglo-lie - 
publican  phantasy  of  his  time,  liut 
in  our  natural  attachment  to  monarchy 
and  its  various  gradations,  and  in  the 
homages  which  we  in  consequence 
freely  perform,  it  does  not  follow  that 
there  should  be  any  unmanly  humility. 
On  the  contrary,  servile  loyalty  is 
comparatively  rare  among  us,  and  it 


was  in  England  that  the  Stuarts  first 
PArj'.i)  to  hroai'h  the  doctrine  of  the 
divine  rigiit  of  kings. 

Tlie  two  most  important  public 
documents  extant  show  the  diffiTcnco 
between  the  national  character  of  the 
Scotch  and  of  the  Englisli  people  iu 
a  very  striking  light.  In  dictatiiig 
Magna  Charta  to  the  tyrant  John,  the 
English  barons  implied,  that  if  he  ob- 
served the  conditions,  they  would  obey 
him  in  all  things  else.  lUit  the  Scot- 
tish nobles,  in  their  Kemonstrance  to 
the  Pope,  declared,  that  they  con- 
sidered even  their  great  and  glorious 
Robert  Bruce  to  be  on  his  good  be- 
haviour. 

The  Kemonstraucc  not  being  gen- 
erally known,  a  translation  is  subjoin- 
ed, of  the  time  of  llingan  Gilhiiize — 
the  sacred  original  ia  in  the  llegister 
Office. 


TRANSLATION. 


To  our  most  holy  Father  in  Christ, 
and  our  Lord,  John,  by  the  divine 
providence,  Chief  Bishop  of  the  most 
Holy  Roman  and  Universal  Church, 
your  humble  and  devoted  sons,  Dun- 
can Earl  of  Fyfe,  Thomas  Randolph 
Earl  of  Murray,  Lord  Mannia  and 
Annandale,  Patrick  do  Dumbar  Earl 
of  March,  Malisius  Earl  of  Strathern, 
Malcolm  Earl  of  Lennox,  William 
Earl  of  Ross,  Magnus  Earl  of  Caith- 
ness and  Orkney,  William  Earl  of 
Sutherland,  Walter  Steward  of  Scot- 
land, William  de  Soulcs  Buttelarius 
of  Scotland,  James  Lord  Douglas, 
Roger  de  Mowbray,  David  Lord  Bre- 
chin, David  de  Grahame,  Ingleramus 
de  Umfraville,  John  de  Monteith 
Warder  of  the  county  of  Monteith, 


Alexander  Frazer,  Gilbert  de  Hay 
Constable  of  Scotlaml,  Robert  de 
Keith  ^Marishal  of  Scotland,  Mcnry 
de  Sancto  Claro,  John  de  Graham, 
David  do  Lyndsay,  AVilliam  Oliphant, 
Patrick  de  Graham,  John  de  Fenton, 
William  de  Abernetliie,  David  do 
Weyms,  William  de  Monto  fixo, 
Fergus  de  Ai'drossan.  Eustachius  de 
Maxwcl,  William  de  RaniSiiy,  William 
de  Monte-alto,  Allan  de  Murray, 
Donald  Campbel,  John  Camburn, 
Reginald  le  Chone,  Alexander  de 
Seton,  Andrew  de  Lescelyuo,  and 
Alexander  Straton,  and  the  rest  of  the 
Barons  and  Freeholders,  and  whole 
Community,  or  Commons  of  tho 
kingdom  of  Scotland,  send  all  man- 
ner of  Filial  Reverence,  with  devout 


stocl 
strain 
Ti 
these 
rcniai 
ation 
evide 
of 
after 
honoi 
(thou 
of  th 
most 
Savio 
tho 
instn; 
Apos 
or    t 


rOSTSCRIPT. 


237 


kisses  of  your  blessed  and  happy 
feet. 

Most  holy  Father  and  Lord,  we 
know  and  gather  from  ancient  Acts 
and  Records,  that  in  every  famous 
nation,  this  of  Scotland  hath  been 
celebratwith  many  praises:  this  nation 
haviuf^  conio  from  Scytliia  tlie  greater, 
tlirough  the  Tuscan  Sea,  and  by  Her- 
cules Pillars,  and  having  for  many 
ages  taken  its  residence  in  Spain  in 
the  midst  of  a  most  fierce  people, 
could  never  bo  brought  in  subjection 
by  any  i)Cople,  how  barbarous  soever : 
and  having  removed  from  those  parts, 
above  1200  years  after  the  coming  of 
the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt,  did  by 
many  victories  and  much  toil,  obtain 
the  parts  in  the  West,  which  they 
still  possess,  having  expelled  the 
Uritous,  and  intirely  rooted  out  the 
Picts,  notwithstanding  of  the  fre- 
quent assaults  and  invasions  they 
met  witli  from  the  Norwegians, 
Danes,  and  English ;  and  these  parts 
and  possessions  they  have  always 
retained  free  from  all  manner  of 
aervitudc,  and  subjection,  aa  ancient 
histories  do  witness. 

This  kingdom  hath  been  govern'd 
by  an  uninterrupted  succession  of  113 
kings,  all  of  our  own  native  and  royal 
stock,  without  the  intervening  of  any 
stranger. 

Tlie  true  nobility  and  merits  of 
these  our  princes  and  people  arc  very 
remarkable,  from  this  one  consider- 
ation, (tho'  there  were  no  other 
evidence  for  it,)  that  the  King 
of  kings,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
after  his  passion  and  resurrection, 
honoured  them  as  it  wore  the  first 
(though  living  in  the  utmost  ends 
of  the  earth,)  with  a  call  to  his 
most  iioly  Faith :  neither  would  our 
Saviour  have  them  confirmed  in 
the  Christian  Faith,  by  any  other 
instrument  than  his  own  first 
Apostle  (tho'  in  order  tho  second 
or    third,)    St   Andrew,    the   most 


worthy  brother  of  the  blessed  Peter, 
whom  he  would  always  have  to 
be  over  us,  as  our  patron  or  pro- 
tector. 

Upon  the  weighty  consideration  of 
these  things,  tiie  most  holy  Fathers 
your  predecessors  did,  with  many 
great  and  singular  favours  and  pri- 
vileges, fence  and  secure  tliis  king- 
dom and  people,  as  being  the 
peculiar  charge  and  care  of  the 
brother  of  St  Peter;  so  that  our 
nation  hath  hitherto  lived  in  free- 
dom and  quietness  under  their  pro- 
tection, till  the  magnificent  King 
Edward,  father  to  the  present  king  of 
England,  did  under  the  colour  of 
friendship,  and  allyance,  or  coufedera- 
cie,  with  innumerable  oppressions, 
infest  us  who  minded  no  fraud  or 
deceit,  at  a  time  when  we  were  with- 
out a  king  or  head,  and  when  tho 
people  were  unacquainted  with  wars 
and  invasions.  It  is  impossible  for 
any  whose  own  experience  hath  not 
informed  him  to  describe,  or  fully  to 
understand,  the  injuries,  blood,  and 
violence,  the  depredations  and  fire, 
the  imprisonments  of  prelates,  tho 
burning,  slaughter,  and  robberie  com- 
mitted upon  holy  persons  and  religious 
houses,  and  a  vast  multitude  c  other 
barbarities,  which  that  king  execute 
on  this  people,  without  sparing  of  any 
sex,  or  age,  religion,  or  order  of  men 
whatsoever. 

But  at  length  it  pleased  God,  who 
only  can  heal  .if  ter  wounds,  to  restore 
us  to  libertie,  from  these  innumerable 
calamities,  by  our  most  Serene  Prince, 
King  and  Lord,  Robert,  who  for  tho 
delivering  of  his  people  and  his  own 
rightful  inheritance  from  the  enemies* 
hand,  did,  like  another  Josaa,  or 
Maccabeus,  most  cheerfully  undergo 
all  manner  of  toyle,  fatigue,  hardship, 
and  hazard.  The  Divine  Providence, 
the  right  of  succession  by  the  laws 
and  customs  of  the  kingdom  (which 
we  will  defend  till  death),  and  the 


POSTSCRIPT. 


due  and  lawful  conaont  nnd  assent  of 
nil  tlio  pcoplo,  made  him  our  king 
nnd  priiico.  To  him  wo  aro  obliged 
nnd  resolved  to  adhere  in  all  things, 
both  upon  the  account  of  his  right  and 
hiu  own  mcriD,  ua  being  the  person 
•\vlio  h.ith  restored  the  people's  safety, 
in  defence  of  their  liberties.  But 
after  all,  if  this  prince  shall  leave  the 
principles  he  hath  so  nobly  pursued, 
and  consent  that  wo  or  our  kingdom 
be  subjected  to  the  king  or  the  peoplo 
of  England,  wc  will  immediately  en- 
deavour to  expel  him,  as  our  enemy, 
and  as  the  subverter  both  of  his  own 
nnd  our  rights,  nnd  will  make  another 
king,  who  will  defend  our  liberties : 
for,  EO  long  as  there  shall  but  one 
hundred  of  us  remain  alive,  we  Avill 
never  subject  ourselves  to  the  do- 
minion of  tlie  English.  For  it  is  not 
glory,  it  is  not  riches,  neither  is  it 
honour,  but  it  is  libertie  alone  that 
we  fight  and  contend  for,  which  no 
honest  man  will  lose  but  with  his 
life. 

For  these  reasons,  most  Reverend 
Fatiier  and  Lord,  wo  do  with  most 
earnest  prayers,  from  our  bended 
knees  and  hearts,  beg  and  entreat 
your  Holiness,  that  you  may  be  pleased 
with  a  sincere  and  cordial  piety  to 
consider,  that  with  Him,  whose  Vicar 
on  earth  you  are,  there  is  no  respect 
nor  distinction  of  Jew  nor  Greek, 
Scots  nor  English,  and  that  with  a 
tender  and  fatherly  eye  you  may  look 
upon  the  calamities  and  straits  brought 
upon  us  and  the  Church  of  God  by 
the  English,  and  that  you  may  ad- 
monish and  exhort  the  king  of  England 
(who  may  well  rest  satisfied  with  his 
own  possessions,  .';iuce  tliat  kingdom 
of  old  used  to  be  sullicient  for  seven 
or  more  kings)  to  suffer  us  to  live  at 
peace  in  that  narrow  spot  of  Scotland, 
beyond  which  we  have  no  habitation, 
since  we  desire  nothing  but  our  own ; 
nnd  we  on  our  parts,  as  far  as  wc  arc 
Able,  with  respect  to  our  owu  condi- 


tion,  shall  effectually  ngrco  to  him  in 
every  thing  that  may  procure  our 
quiet. 

It  is  your  concernment,  most  Holy 
Father,  to  interpose  in  this,  when  you 
see  how  far  the  violence  and  bar- 
barity of  tho  Pagans  is  let  looso 
against  Christendom  for  ^nniishing 
of  tho  sins  of  tho  Cliristians,  and 
how  much  they  dayly^  encroach 
upon  tho  Christian  Territories :  And 
it  is  your  interest  to  notice,  that 
there  bo  no  ground  given  for  reflect- 
ing on  your  memory,  if  you  should 
suffer  any  part  of  tho  church  to  como 
under  a  scandal  or  cclipso  (which 
wo  pray  God  may  prevent)  during 
your  time. 

liCt  it  therefore  please  your  Holi- 
ness to  exhort  the  Christian  princes 
not  to  make  tho  wars  betwixt  them 
and  their  neighbours  a  pretext  for  not 
going  to  the  relief  of  tho  Holy  Land, 
since  that  is  not  the  true  cause  of  tiio 
impediment :  Tho  truer  ground  of  it 
is,  that  they  have  a  much  nearer  jiro- 
spect  of  advantage,  and  fur  less 
opposition,  in  the  subduing  of  their 
weaker  neighbours.  And  God  (who 
is  ignorant  of  nothing)  knows,  with 
how  much  cheerfulness  both  our  king 
and  we  would  go  thither,  if  the  king 
of  England  would  leave  us  in  peace, 
as  wo  do  hereby  testify  and  declare 
to  tho  Vicar  of  Christ,  and  to  all 
Christendom. 

But,  if  your  Holiness  shall  be  too 
credulous  of  tho  English  misrepresen- 
tations, and  not  give  firm  credit  to 
what  wo  have  said,  nor  desist  to 
favour  the  English  to  our  destruction, 
we  must  believe  that  the  ^lost  High 
will  lay  to  your  charge  all  the  blood 
lost  of  soul  and  other  calamities  that 
shall  follow  on  either  hand,  betwixt 
us  and  them. 

Your  Holiness  in    granting 


our 


just  t -sires,  will  oblige  us  n\  cvevio 
case,  where  our  dutie  shall  require  it, 
^  ende{iYOur  your  satiaf action,  as  be? 


POSTSCRIPT. 


coiiio  the  obedient  sons  of  the  Vicar 
of  (Mirist. 

Wo  commit  the  tlofenco  of  oiu 
cause  to  him  who  ia  the  Sovereign 
Kiiip;  and  Judjje  ;  wo  cast  the  burden 
of  our  cares  upon  iiiin,  and  hope  for 
such  an  issue  us  may  fjive  strength  and 
counigo  to  us,  and  bring  our  enemies 


23D 


God 
and 


to  nothing.  The  Most  Iligli 
lonj?  preserve  your  Serenity 
Holiness  to  His  holy  Church. 

(liven  at  the  I^lonasterio  of  Aber- 
brothock  in  Scotland,  the  sixth  day  of 
April,  in  theyear  of  Grace  M.CCCXX. 
nn  1  of  our  said  king's  reign,  the  XV. 
year. 


*  > 


BONN  AKD  WBIQBT,  PIUSXM8,  ai.A8aOW. 


